Sean “Diddy” Combs was denied bail on Wednesday after the jury in his federal sex trafficking trial returned its verdict, convicting him on two lesser charges of transportation to engage in prostitution but clearing the hip-hop mogul of the most serious charges.

The verdict is, to some extent, a win for Combs, who will avoid the worst case scenario: If he had been convicted of the more serious charges of racketeering conspiracy or sex trafficking, Combs could have faced up to life in prison. Instead, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years – though could serve a shorter sentence.

“It’s a bit of a paradox, because here we have Sean Combs, who has just been convicted of two federal felonies,” said CNN Senior Legal Analyst Elie Honig. “And for all practical purposes, he has won. He has defeated the Southern District of New York.”

Prosecutors accused Combs of leading a criminal enterprise made up of some of his closest employees, alleging they used threats, violence, forced labor, bribery and other crimes to force Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and another woman, “Jane,” to engage in drug-fueled sex acts with male escorts called “Freak Offs” or “hotel nights.”

Combs pleaded not guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking and two counts of transportation for prostitution. His lawyers argued the sex acts were consensual and merely preferences, while trying to undermine the hip-hop mogul’s accusers by contending they were trying to gain a monetary benefit from Combs.