“I’m Gonna Be Home Soon,” Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Reacts As He’s Cleared Of Sex Trafficking & Racketeering, Convicted On Lesser Charges (pic)

Sean “Diddy” Combs was cleared on Wednesday of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put him behind bars for life but found guilty of lesser prostitution-related offenses, in a blow to prosecutors who said the music mogul used “violence and fear” to abuse women.

The verdict is overall a win for Combs, a former billionaire known for elevating hip-hop in American culture.

The 12-member jury unanimously convicted him on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, but acquitted Combs of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking two of his former romantic partners: the rhythm and blues singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, and a woman known in court by the pseudonym Jane.

After the judge dismissed the jury and lawyers for both sides, Combs knelt before his chair and appeared to pray. Combs then rose and faced the courtroom gallery.

“I’m gonna be home soon,” he said, smiling and clasping his hands. “I love you. Thank you, I love you.”

Combs’ family and supporters erupted into applause and cheers.

Combs, 55, who had pleaded not guilty to all five counts, faces a maximum 10-year prison sentence on each of the two prostitution counts.

Prosecutors acknowledged in a court filing that federal sentencing guidelines appeared to recommend a maximum sentence of 5-1/4 years. Combs’ lawyers argued that two years would be the outer limit.

U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian is expected to hold a hearing at 5 p.m. EDT (2100 GMT) on Combs’ request to be released on bail pending sentencing.

The trial focused on prosecutors’ allegations that Combs for two decades used his business empire to force Ventura and Jane to take part in drug-fueled, days-long sexual performances sometimes known as “Freak Offs” with male sex workers in hotel rooms while Combs watched, masturbated and occasionally filmed.

During the seven-week trial in Manhattan federal court, jurors saw some of the 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant authorities found during searches of his homes, which prosecutors said he would use in the performances.

Prosecutors unsuccessfully argued that Combs’ conduct toward both women amounted to sex trafficking because he compelled Ventura and Jane to take part in the performances using physical violence and threats to withhold financial support or leak sexually explicit images of them.