Sean "Diddy" Combs - once one of the most influential figures in hip-hop - is now at the center of a sprawling federal criminal trial.
The case — United States v. Combs — involves disturbing allegations of sexual abuse, racketeering, and coercion, and it marks one of the most high-profile trials in recent memory.
Below, we break down the charges, the key players, what’s at stake, and how Combs went from mogul to inmate in one of Brooklyn’s most secure detention facilities.
Who Is Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs?
Combs, 55, is known globally under several stage names, including “Puff Daddy,” “Diddy,” and “Love.”
A three-time Grammy Award winner and founder of Bad Boy Records, Combs was instrumental in shaping the careers of stars like Mary J. Blige, Usher, and the Notorious B.I.G. He also expanded his empire into fashion, vodka, and television.
But in recent years, his legacy has been overshadowed by a series of legal battles and a federal indictment that has upended his empire.
What Is Sean Combs Charged With?
As of April 2025, Combs is facing five federal felony charges:
- Racketeering conspiracy
- Two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion
- Two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution
Each charge carries severe penalties. The racketeering and sex trafficking charges could lead to life in prison, with a mandatory minimum of 15 years for each sex trafficking charge. The transportation charges could add another 10 years each.
Let's break down the charges...
What Is Racketeering Conspiracy?Under the RICO Act (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act), racketeering conspiracy involves participating in or conspiring to participate in an ongoing criminal enterprise. While originally designed to combat the Mafia, RICO is now used to prosecute a wide range of organized criminal activity.
In this case, prosecutors allege Combs “led a racketeering conspiracy that engaged in sex trafficking, forced labour, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice, among other crimes.”
What Is Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, or Coercion?Sex trafficking under federal law involves compelling a person to engage in commercial sex through force, fraud, or coercion. The mandatory minimum sentence is 15 years per count, with life imprisonment as the maximum.
Prosecutors claim Combs lured victims with promises of fame, drugged them, coerced them into sex acts, sometimes without consent or while recording them, and used intimidation and violence to maintain control.
What Is Transportation for Prostitution?This charge relates to knowingly transporting individuals across state lines for the purpose of engaging in prostitution or illegal sexual activity. It carries a maximum 10-year sentence per count.
The Heart of the Case: 'Freak Offs'
Central to the prosecution’s case are so-called "freak offs" — drug-fueled, sex-charged gatherings that Combs allegedly orchestrated. These sessions reportedly took place in hotel rooms and lasted for days.
Prosecutors describe the events as “elaborate and produced sex performances” that Combs directed and often recorded. Victims were allegedly provided with drugs like ecstasy, forced to participate in sex acts with others (including sex workers), and filmed without consent while Combs watched or masturbated.
According to the indictment, Combs “abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct.”
Allegations of a Criminal Empire
The prosecution claims that Combs’ business network was more than just music and marketing. They say it functioned as a criminal enterprise from 2008 to 2024, involved in:
- Sex trafficking
- Forced labor
- Kidnapping
- Arson
- Bribery
- Obstruction of justice
Combs allegedly used intimidation tactics, including brandishing an AR-15 and threatening victims with financial ruin or leaked sex footage.
Who Are the Accusers?
There are four accusers, referred to in court documents as Victim-1 through Victim-4. At least one is expected to testify under her real name.
As reported by NBC News, the allegations of Victim-1 align closely with those previously voiced by Cassie Ventura, an R&B singer and Combs’ ex-girlfriend.
In November 2023, Ventura filed a civil lawsuit alleging she was raped, physically abused, and trafficked by Combs over a ten-year period. Although the case was settled within a day, Ventura’s accusations gained traction after CNN aired a 2016 video showing Combs beating, kicking, and dragging her in a hotel hallway.
The judge has ruled the footage admissible, despite the defense's claim that the video is “wholly inaccurate” and altered — something CNN strongly denies.
What Has Combs Said?
Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges and maintains his innocence.
His legal team describes the accusations as fabrications by “former long-term girlfriends, who were involved in consensual relationships. This was their private sex life, defined by consent, not coercion.”
Responding specifically to the hotel video leaked by CNN, he shared a video apology after the Cassie footage was released, saying: “My behaviour in that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility.” However, his attorneys argue the video shows only “a glimpse into a complex but decade-long consensual relationship.”
Who Are the Lawyers?
Combs’ lead defense attorney is Marc Agnifilo, known for representing Keith Raniere (NXIVM), Martin Shkreli, and Dominique Strauss-Kahn. He is joined by Teny Geragos, who specializes in defending sexual misconduct cases and is the daughter of famed attorney Mark Geragos.
On the prosecution side are several experienced federal prosecutors, including Maurene Comey (daughter of former FBI director James Comey) and lead attorneys Emily Johnson, Madison Smyser, Mary Slavik, Meredith Foster, and Mitzi Steiner.
Who Is the Judge?
The case is being overseen by Judge Arun Subramanian, a Biden appointee confirmed in 2023. A former clerk for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and partner at Susman Godfrey, this trial marks his most high-profile assignment yet.
Subramanian denied Combs’ request to delay the trial after the April indictment updates and also rejected attempts to exclude the 2016 Cassie video.
When and Where Is the Trial Taking Place?
The trial starts Monday, May 5, at the US District Court for the Southern District of New York in downtown Manhattan.
Jury selection will begin that morning, with 12 jurors and six alternates expected to be seated by week’s end.
Once jury selection concludes, opening arguments are scheduled to begin on Monday, May 12.
The trial will run Monday through Friday, 9:30AM to 3:00PM ET (until 5:00PM during the first week).
It is expected to last eight to ten weeks.
Where Is Combs Being Held?
Combs has been held without bail at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his arrest in September. He shares the facility with high-profile inmates like Luigi Mangione, who is accused of a separate violent crime.
What Evidence Is Being Presented?
Federal agents raided two of Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami six months before his arrest. As reported by The Independent, they allegedly found:
- Over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant
- AR-15-style weapons with defaced serial numbers
- Narcotics
- Electronic devices containing images and videos of "freak offs"
This evidence is expected to play a central role in the prosecution’s case.
Will Other Civil Lawsuits Be Mentioned?
No. While Combs is facing over 30 civil lawsuits, including allegations of sexual abuse from people who were allegedly as young as 10, these cases will not be discussed during the trial.
Only charges specifically listed in the indictment are admissible.
What Happens Next?
The trial begins with jury selection — a meticulous process involving questionnaires covering jurors’ views on sex, violence, drugs, and even prior exposure to documentaries about Combs.
Once a jury is selected, both sides will present their opening arguments. Several of Combs’ former employees are expected to testify on his behalf, and Cassie Ventura is expected to be a key witness for the prosecution.
If convicted, Combs could spend the rest of his life behind bars.