Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been found NOT GUILTY by a federal court of the RICO charge in the USA v. Sean Combs Federal Trial. This ruling announced today, rocks the music world and beyond marking a key point in the ongoing story of the music tycoon. For a long time, accusations against Diddy have grabbed headlines leading to a federal probe that exposed a series of serious claims. The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) threatened harsh penalties if he was found guilty. Now, with the federal court throwing out the RICO count, Combs’ legal situation has changed.

Examining the Federal Charges, the focus of the federal trial centered on five specific charges:

1: Racketeering Conspiracy

2: Sex Trafficking Cassie Ventura

3: Transportation of Cassie Ventura and Sex Workers to Engage in Prostitution

4: Sex Trafficking of Jane

5: Transportation of Jane and Sex Workers to Engage in Prostitution

The “NOT GUILTY” verdict relates to the main RICO charge (Count 1). It’s important to remember that a not guilty verdict on the RICO count shows the prosecution didn’t prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Diddy took part in series of criminal allegations. But he was found guilty on prostitution counts for Cassie and Jane. He is yet to be sentenced but the charge carries a 10-year maximum prison sentence.

The path to this ruling has been rocky starting with a flood of civil suits outlining shocking claims of sexual abuse, human trafficking, and other wrongdoing. The biggest of these brought by his ex girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, and caught the eyes of the public and federal officials. The drama grew when federal agents searched Diddy’s homes in Los Angeles and Miami earlier this year, making headlines. And these showed everyone how serious the federal probe was, leading to wild guesses about the music tycoon’s legal fate. Throughout this period, Diddy maintained his innocence, vehemently denying all accusations leveled against him.

The RICO acquittal is a huge legal win for Sean Combs. It takes away the immediate threat of a long federal prison sentence on this charge and gives him some breathing room that few thought he’d get given the gravity of the initial allegations.