Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs: Trial Date Announced; What He’s Charged With?
Getty Images Sean “Diddy” Combs, one of the most successful rappers and music moguls in the US, will soon face trial for charges related to sex trafficking and racketeering. Additionally, he is dealing with dozens of lawsuits from individuals who claim they were harmed by him through drugs, alcohol abuse, and physical assault.
Mr Combs has pleaded not guilty to these criminal charges and disputes the allegations in the individual lawsuits, calling them attempts “for a quick payday.” If convicted, he faces up to life in prison on the racketeering charge and at least 15 years for sex trafficking.
Who is Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs?
Mr Combs, who has also been known by names like Puffy, Puff Daddy, PDiddy, Love, and Brother Love, began his rise in the hip-hop scene in the 1990s. His early success included helping launch the careers of Mary J Blige and Christopher Wallace (the Notorious B.I.G.). Over time, his music label Bad Boy Records became one of rap’s most influential institutions, expanding to include artists such as Faith Evans, Ma$e, 112, Mariah Carey, and Jennifer Lopez. Beyond his musical endeavors, Mr Combs had a notable business career outside the industry. Notably in 2007 he signed a deal with British drinks company Diageo to promote the French vodka brand C?roc in the US.
In 2023, he released his fifth record titled “The Love Album: Off The Grid” and earned his first solo nomination at the Grammy Awards. That same year, he was also named a Global Icon at MTV Awards.
What are the charges and allegations against Diddy?
In the federal criminal case, Mr Combs is charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. The prosecution alleges that he kidnapped women by drugging or coercing them into sexual activities; sometimes this involved using firearms or threatening violence.
Police conducted a raid on his Los Angeles mansion where they found supplies intended for orgies known as “freak offs,” including drugs, and over 1,000 bottles of baby oil. Separately, Mr Combs faces lawsuits from more than 100 women and men who accuse him of rape or assault.
One high-profile case alleges that a woman named Jane Doe was gang-raped by several people at Diddy’s mansion in September 2014. Prosecutors say the incident occurred with Mr Combs’ knowledge, while he was home recovering from foot surgery and had been drinking heavily for days beforehand.
Is Diddy in jail?
Mr Combs has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn since his arrest on September 16, 2024. His lawyers have argued that he should be released due to the dangerous conditions within MDC but their requests for bail were denied by a New York federal judge.
When is Diddy’s trial and how long will it last?
US District Judge Arun Subramanian ruled his trial will start on May 5. Prosecutors estimate they need three weeks to present their case, while defense lawyers say Mr Combs’ team needs a week.
How long could Diddy spend in jail?
If convicted of racketeering, Mr Combs faces up to life imprisonment; if found guilty of sex trafficking as well, he faces at least 15 years on top of the former sentence.
