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(NewsNation) — Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has been found not guilty of racketeering conspiracy, the most serious charge levied against him — but it’s likely he will still have a lengthy prison stay.
On Wednesday, Combs was acquitted on the RICO charge and two counts of sex trafficking, but a jury found him guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
The maximum sentence for each of his transportation convictions is 10 years, according to the U.S. Code, meaning Combs could be behind bars for up to 20 years.
If he had been convicted of any of the other counts, Combs would have faced life in prison.
After the verdict was read on Wednesday, Marc Agnifilo, a lawyer for Combs, asked that his client be immediately released because the federal Mann Act crimes were of a “vastly different nature” than sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. Combs has been behind bars since his September arrest.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey said he should remain incarcerated as a danger to the community and a threat to flee. She cited evidence of physical abuse and “prolific use and distribution of drugs” that emerged during the trial.
“I do believe we’ll be seeking a substantial period of incarceration,” Comey said.
Former federal prosecutor David Weinstein told NewsNation that sentencing guidelines allow for multiplying factors, potentially upping his sentence.
“He’s looking at 15 plus years under the sentencing guideline on each count, and he gets a multiplier for multiple victims,” Weinstein said.
“The judge can run them consecutive, and he might, with an additional multiplying factor, find himself bumping up against 10 on each count,” Weinstein added. “So, for people to say or think that he’s going to get credit time served and walk out of here, I think that’s a pipe dream for the defense.”
Following the verdict Wednesday, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura’s lawyer said he was “pleased” that Combs still faces “substantial jail time.”
Ventura, one of Combs’ former partners, testified over four days about the years of abuse she said Combs inflicted on her, including participation in so-called “Freak Offs,” choreographed sexual events that took center stage during the trial.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
