Diddy denied bond despite acquittal on most serious counts

LOS ANGELES (ABC News)

A federal judge denied bail after a jury acquitted Sean Diddy Combs of the most serious charges against him Wednesday.

Combs was denied bail Wednesday afternoon after prosecutors said he was a danger to society. U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian set Combs’ sentencing for Oct. 3.

Jurors reached a verdict Wednesday morning after telling Subramanian on Tuesday they had agreed on all but one of the counts.

The trial lasted for nearly two months and ended after three days of deliberation. After about an hour on Wednesday, jurors returned the verdict.

The 55-year-old pleaded not guilty to all five federal counts involving sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation for prostitution. The jury found Combs not guilty of the most serious charge -- racketeering conspiracy.

But jurors found him guilty of counts three and five -- transportation to engage in prostitution.

Combs was also found not guilty of sex trafficking.

The prosecution called 34 witnesses over more than six weeks, including ex-girlfriends, former Combs employees and rapper Kid Cudi.

Prosecutors argued Combs and his associates used his business as a criminal enterprise to lure and traffic his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, and a woman who testified under the pseudonym Jane.

They both testified that they felt forced into drug-fueled sex performances with male escorts, which Combs referred to as freak-offs, hotel nights or wild king knights.

The jury saw more than 1,000 exhibits, including photos of baby oil and lubricant, assault weapons and drugs. They also saw video of Combs kicking and dragging Ventura in 2016 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles after she says she tried to leave a freak off.

The defense argued the women were willing participants in fulfilling Combs' sexual desires and that all the encounters were consensual.

Ventura's lawyer released a statement saying in part, "By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice."

The judge said he will decide Wednesday whether Combs will be released pending sentencing. He's giving prosecutors and the defense until Wednesday afternoon to write letters arguing for and against release.

Combs faces up to 20 years in prison.