Jury selection is scheduled to begin on Monday, May 5, 2025, in the federal trial of American rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs, nearly seven months after his indictment on charges including racketeering conspiracy, transportation for prostitution, and sex trafficking.
Prosecutors allege these crimes occurred over two decades.
Combs, who has pleaded not guilty and has been detained since his September 2024 arrest, will appear with his legal team in a Manhattan federal court for the trial, which will not be televised. Opening statements are expected to commence on May 12.
If convicted on all counts, Combs could face a life sentence. Prosecutors claim that from 2004 to 2024, Combs used his business empire as a criminal enterprise, engaging in sex trafficking, forced labour, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice.
He is accused of coercing at least three women into sexual acts with him and, at times, with male prostitutes during events referred to as “Freak Offs,” where victims were allegedly drugged and forced into days-long sexual encounters.
Authorities also allege Combs recorded some of these acts and controlled his victims through promises of financial and career advancement, as well as threats of violence and other harm.
Combs faces a total of five counts related to four victims, including one count of racketeering conspiracy involving “Victim-1,” “Victim-2,” and “Victim-3”; two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion involving “Victim-1” and “Victim-2”; and two counts of transportation for prostitution involving “Victim-1” and “Victim-2.” Prosecutors have stated that “Victim-4,” a former employee, was allegedly subjected to forced labour.
All four identified victims are expected to testify at the trial.
Judge Arun Subramanian has ruled that three of them can testify under pseudonyms, while Combs’ former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura (referred to as “Victim-1” in the indictment), has chosen to testify using her name.
Ventura previously filed a lawsuit against Combs in 2023, accusing him of rape in 2018 and years of physical and other abuse. Combs denied these allegations at the time, and the lawsuit was settled the day after it was filed.
However, a 2016 surveillance video, published by CNN in May 2024, showed Combs striking and dragging Ventura.
Following the video’s release, Combs apologised for the assault, stating he took “full responsibility” for his actions.
Judge Subramanian has ruled that this video footage can be shown to the jury during the trial.
Combs is being represented by lead attorneys Mark Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, with Brian Steel, who recently represented rapper Young Thug in his racketeering trial, joining the defense team in April.
The prosecution is being handled by the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
It is important to note that Combs also faces numerous separate civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault, which he has denied and are not part of this federal criminal trial.
