American Rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Sex Trafficking, Racketeering Trial gets new Date
The decision was made during a hearing before the U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian in Manhattan on Thursday, where Combs’ lawyer expressed concerns about alleged leaks from federal agents, Reuters reports.
Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, 54, is set to face a federal trial on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, scheduled to begin on May 5, 2025.
The decision was made during a hearing before the U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian in Manhattan on Thursday, where Combs’ lawyer expressed concerns about alleged leaks from federal agents, Reuters reports.
Prosecutor Emily Johnson dismissed the claims as baseless. Combs pleaded not guilty on September 17 to a three-count indictment accusing him of using his business ventures, including Bad Boy Entertainment, to transport women and male sex workers across state lines for recorded sexual performances, known as “Freak Offs.”
This marks Combs’ third court appearance since his arrest. Wearing tan prison attire, he blew kisses to his family members after the hearing concluded.
His mother and children were present, defense attorney Anthony Ricco confirmed in court.
Prosecutors anticipate that their case will take at least three weeks to present, while Combs’ defense will require about a week.
Combs has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his arrest, and the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied his request for immediate release.
If convicted, Combs faces a minimum of 15 years in prison and a potential life sentence. Prosecutors allege that Combs used drugs, financial promises, and career opportunities to entice women and male sex workers.
The recordings were allegedly used as “collateral” to silence the victims, with weapons displayed to intimidate them.
Although Combs is not accused of unwanted sexual contact, prosecutors claim he physically assaulted women. His lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, maintains that the acts were consensual.
Agnifilo requested a gag order to prevent prosecutors from leaking evidence to the media, citing a leaked videotape showing Combs striking a woman in 2016.
Johnson responded that the request aimed to exclude “damning” evidence, asserting that both parties should be bound to confidentiality in handling the case’s evidence.
She also raised concerns about Agnifilo’s earlier public comments, which accused the prosecution of racism, arguing that such statements risk a fair trial.
The judge asked Agnifilo to draft a proposal governing public statements.
https://www.reuters.com/legal/sean-diddy-combs-sex-trafficking-trial-set-may-5-2025-judge-says-2024-10-10/
