Disgraced music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs will face trial on federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges starting May 5, 2025, a U.S. judge ruled on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Combs appeared in Manhattan federal court before U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, with his family, including his mother and six of his children, in attendance.
The 54-year-old, dressed in a tan prison uniform, smiled and waved to his family as he entered the courtroom and greeted his lawyers.
Combs pleaded not guilty on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, to a three-count indictment that accuses him of using his business empire, including Bad Boy Entertainment, to transport women and male sex workers across state lines for recorded sexual performances, referred to as “Freak Offs.”
Judge Subramanian set the trial date during Thursday’s hearing. Prosecutor Emily Johnson stated the prosecution’s case would last at least three weeks, while Combs’ defense team, led by attorney Marc Agnifilo, expects their case to take around one week.
Diddy Combs has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his arrest. His appeal against the denial of bail is still pending.
If convicted, Combs faces a minimum of 15 years and up to life in prison on charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Prosecutors allege that Combs enticed women with drugs such as ketamine and ecstasy, financial promises, career opportunities, or the prospect of romantic relationships.
The indictment claims he used recordings of the sexual acts as “collateral” to silence the women and sometimes displayed weapons to intimidate them.
The indictment does not accuse Combs of directly engaging in unwanted sexual contact, but he is accused of physically assaulting women involved in the case.