Sean Diddy Combs Faces Justice in High-Stakes Sex Trafficking Trial

Jury selection begins this Monday in New York for the highly publicized trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs, the iconic music mogul facing serious federal charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. Once a celebrated figure in the global entertainment scene, Combs has been in custody since his arrest in September 2024 and could face life imprisonment if convicted.

Prosecutors allege that Combs orchestrated a criminal enterprise that forced individuals into drug-fueled sexual encounters through intimidation and violence. Although he has denied all charges, maintaining that all relationships were consensual, prosecutors have cited disturbing evidence, including surveillance footage showing him assaulting former girlfriend and singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura.

Ventura is expected to play a central role in the trial, which revolves around claims of so-called “freak-offs” coerced sex parties involving drugs and recorded acts. The judge has approved some video evidence for use in court, despite disputes over its quality.

Combs, known by various aliases such as Puff Daddy and P. Diddy, has enjoyed a long career marked by musical success and lucrative business ventures, particularly in the alcohol industry. However, a wave of sexual assault allegations followed a 2023 civil lawsuit by Ventura, which was settled privately but sparked a wider investigation. Several more accusations, from both women and men, emerged in its aftermath, leading to the current federal charges.

Combs’s defense has portrayed his lifestyle as consensual and unconventional rather than criminal. The government, however, is using the RICO Act a legal tool traditionally applied in organized crime cases to demonstrate a pattern of abuse extending over years.

As jury selection continues into next week, the trial is shaping up to be a watershed moment in the music industry’s confrontation with sexual abuse allegations, similar to what Hollywood faced during the #MeToo movement.