The high-profile criminal case against hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs entered a new phase Monday with the beginning of jury selection in federal court.
The charges—ranging from sex trafficking to racketeering conspiracy—carry the potential for a life sentence, marking a dramatic legal turning point for the once-billionaire music executive.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening, what’s at stake, and why this trial matters.
🧾 What Is Sean Combs Charged With?
Combs, 55, is facing a five-count indictment in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The charges include:
- Racketeering conspiracy
- Sex trafficking
- Transportation to engage in prostitution
The indictment alleges that Combs used his entertainment businesses and personal relationships to operate what federal prosecutors describe as a criminal enterprise involving coercion, manipulation, and sexual exploitation of women.
The criminal case is the first of its kind involving Combs, though it follows a wave of more than 50 civil lawsuits filed since November 2023.
⚖️ How Did the Trial Begin?
Combs arrived Monday morning from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he has been held without bail. Wearing dark glasses and a sweater over a white shirt, he greeted his attorneys with a smile and a hug before entering Judge Arun Subramanian’s courtroom.
Soon after, the court began voir dire, the legal process of questioning potential jurors to assess whether they can be fair and impartial despite the case’s widespread media coverage.
Due to the nature of the allegations and Combs’ celebrity status, the jury will be anonymous, a protective measure commonly used in high-profile or potentially dangerous trials.
🧑⚖️ What Happened During Jury Selection?
In the first round of voir dire, Juror No. 2 disclosed recognition of several people listed as potential trial references—including actors Michael B. Jordan and Mike Myers—but affirmed that this would not affect his impartiality.
The juror also mentioned that his sister had been beaten by her first husband decades ago but said this past experience would not influence his view of the case.
So far, it’s unclear how or why those celebrities may be referenced in the trial.
📂 What Are Prosecutors Alleging?
According to federal prosecutors, Combs used his wealth and influence to orchestrate multi-day sex parties—referred to internally as “Freak Offs”—in which women were allegedly coerced into drug-fueled sexual performances with male sex workers.
Prosecutors say this behavior formed part of a larger pattern of systematic exploitation, underpinned by his power, resources, and position in the entertainment industry.
🛡️ What Is the Defense Arguing?
Combs’ attorneys are framing the case as a criminalization of consensual adult behavior, emphasizing what they call a “swingers” lifestyle. In a recent hearing, defense attorney Marc Agnifilo stated that there was “nothing criminal” about adults choosing to involve third parties in consensual relationships.
The defense is expected to challenge the credibility of the four primary witnesses set to testify against Combs and may argue that the accusations stem from reinterpreted consensual experiences amid a changing social and legal climate.
📜 What Sparked the Criminal Case?
While the criminal case is new, the legal troubles began in November 2023, when Combs’ former romantic partner, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, filed a bombshell civil lawsuit accusing him of sex trafficking and abuse. That suit was quickly settled privately, but it triggered a flood of additional civil lawsuits—more than 50—detailing similar allegations.
Those civil filings appear to have laid the foundation for the current federal criminal prosecution.
🧠 Why Is the Case So Significant?
Combs’ dramatic fall from grace is one of the most prominent legal reckonings in the entertainment industry since the #MeToo movement began. Once hailed as a visionary mogul who transformed hip-hop and launched global brands like Bad Boy Records, Combs is now the latest in a growing line of powerful men facing legal consequences for alleged sexual misconduct.
He has lost multiple corporate partnerships, returned the symbolic key to New York City at the request of Mayor Eric Adams, and has remained in custody since September 2024.
🗓️ What Comes Next?
The trial is expected to last approximately two months, during which prosecutors will present evidence of Combs’ alleged coercive tactics and sexual exploitation, while the defense attempts to reframe the allegations as part of a consensual lifestyle.
Key developments to watch:
- Witness testimony from four alleged victims
- Cross-examinations that could challenge credibility
- Public and media reactions as more names and details emerge
- Legal precedents for prosecuting celebrity sex trafficking cases under RICO laws
