Sean Combs’ sex trafficking trial set for May 5
Combs' trial includes charges of sex trafficking, forced labour, and more
On Thursday, a judge announced that the sex trafficking trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs will commence on May 5. The trial is anticipated to last roughly a month. However, prosecutors indicated the duration could vary if additional charges are pressed.
Combs faces charges including sex trafficking by force, transportation for prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy. The indictment, unsealed last month, accuses him of running an enterprise involved in sex trafficking, forced labour, kidnapping, arson, and other crimes.
Prosecutor Emily Johnson stated the investigation is ongoing. She mentioned that a superseding indictment might extend the trial. Combs will remain in custody indefinitely, as a federal appeals court has not granted his immediate release. A three-judge panel is evaluating whether he qualifies for bail, which includes a $50 million bond, visitor restrictions, and private security supervision.
Nearly a month since Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested and charged with sex trafficking and racketeering, a judge has set a trial date for May 5, 2025.
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In court on Thursday, Combs wore a beige jail uniform with silver ankle shackles. He greeted his attorneys and waved to his mother and sons upon entering the courtroom. Federal authorities have confiscated 100 electronic devices from Combs, with data extraction still in progress. During a raid last March, 51 devices were seized from his Los Angeles mansion, 36 from his Miami estate, and nine from Combs himself at a private airport in Florida.
His phone was taken during his arrest, and three more devices were seized from his Manhattan hotel room. Johnson noted the government’s evolving ability to decrypt these devices. Additionally, Combs Global, his company, was served with a subpoena on the same day as the home raids, and records are still being turned over.
Combs recently accused federal agents and prosecutors of leaking hotel security footage showing him assaulting his then-girlfriend Casandra Ventura in Los Angeles in 2016. CNN obtained the video in May, and Combs admitted its authenticity, issuing an apology. Prosecutors refuted the leak accusation in a letter to the judge, asserting they did not possess the video before CNN’s publication and did not acquire it through the grand jury process or from Homeland Security Investigations.
In response to Combs’ claims, the judge agreed to an order protecting grand jury material and nonpublic evidence. Defence attorney Marc Agnifilo expressed concern over alleged leaks of grand jury information by agents. Prosecutors dismissed the accusation as baseless, suggesting it was an attempt to exclude damaging evidence from the trial. Johnson insisted none of the alleged leaks came from the prosecution team.
Johnson also criticised Agnifilo’s statements to TMZ, where he claimed Combs was being prosecuted due to his race. Combs nodded in agreement as Johnson quoted Agnifilo’s remarks, which she said jeopardised the fairness of the trial. The defence did not seek Combs’ release on bail nor pursued a transfer from Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center to a jail in Essex County, New Jersey. Agnifilo noted they were managing at the MDC.
Before being escorted out, Combs smiled, blew kisses to his mother, and made a prayer gesture towards his children. One of his children flexed an arm, seemingly encouraging him to stay strong.
What Other Media Are Saying
- NBC News reports Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ federal sex trafficking trial set for May 5, 2024, with prosecutors stating a three-week case, while Combs’ defense plans a one-week presentation, emphasizing the complexity and severity of the charges.(read more)
- Al Jazeera reports that Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’s sex trafficking trial, set for May 2025, involves allegations of leveraging connections to exploit women, with his legal team disputing evidence.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
When does Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ trial start?
May 5
What charges is Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs facing?
Sex trafficking by force, transportation for prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy.
How long is Combs’ trial expected to last?
Roughly a month, but it could vary.
Why is Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs still in custody?
A federal appeals court has not granted his immediate release.
What evidence has been seized from Combs?
100 electronic devices from various locations.
