Diddy walked back into his Manhattan detention center to cheers and applause after a federal jury cleared him of sex trafficking and racketeering charges on July 2.
The rap mogul was convicted on two lesser counts tied to prostitution but managed to sidestep the most serious RICO allegations in a rare courtroom win against the federal government.
The verdict came after 13 hours of jury deliberation and nearly a year of legal turmoil following raids on Diddy’s properties in March 2024.
He’s been in custody since his September 2024 arrest.
His defense team, led by attorney Marc Agnifilo, took a blunt approach—no witnesses—just sharp cross-examinations and a direct argument that Diddy’s actions didn’t meet the legal threshold for trafficking.
The moment Diddy returned to jail, inmates reportedly stood and clapped.
“They all said: ‘We never get to see anyone who beats the government,’” Agnifilo told The Associated Press. “I said: ‘Maybe it’s your fate in life to be the guy who wins. They need to see that someone can win. I think he took that to heart.’”
The case had drawn national attention, with many legal observers noting that defendants seldom prevail in federal trials involving such charges.
Despite the partial victory, Diddy remains behind bars. Judge Arun Subramanian denied his request for bail, citing concerns over his past behavior and potential risk to the community. Prosecutors highlighted a pattern of violence and criminal conduct in their push to keep him detained.
Diddy was found guilty of two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution, each carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years. Prosecutors are seeking a sentence of up to five years, while his defense team argues for a sentence closer to two years.
His sentencing is set for October 3.