Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs' sex trafficking trial kicks off in May 2025 | More details here

A trial date has been set for Sean "Diddy" Combs, who will face charges of sex trafficking and racketeering on May 5, 2025. Prosecutors have indicated that their investigation is still "very much ongoing," leaving room for a potential superseding indictment, which could delay the trial and discovery phases.

Combs, who was driven from a Brooklyn jail to Manhattan federal court, appeared before Judge Arun Subramanian, accompanied by his mother and six of his children. Wearing a tan prison outfit, Combs smiled and waved at his family before hugging his attorneys.

Prosecutors estimate their case will take three weeks to present, while the defense expects to need only one week. All discovery is expected to be completed by December 31, 2024.

Combs was arrested in mid-September on allegations of running a large-scale criminal enterprise that involved the assault and trafficking of women, reportedly using his businesses to facilitate these activities since at least 2008. The indictment mentions events called "Freak Offs," where commercial sex workers were allegedly brought in and coerced into performing prolonged sex acts, some lasting for days, that were recorded. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Public outrage has been swift, with backlash intensifying after the government accused Combs of a decades-long pattern of abuse toward women in his circle. As Combs’ mother entered the courthouse, one bystander shouted, “Your son is a predator.” She later released a statement through her attorney, condemning what she called a “public lynching” of her son before he’s had a chance to prove his innocence.

The scope of the discovery in the case is extensive, including electronics, business records, and physical evidence. If convicted, Combs faces up to life in prison, with a minimum sentence of 15 years.

The next hearing is scheduled for December 18, 2024.

Also Watch | New mom Deepika Padukone shares ‘burnout & sleep deprivation’ are affecting her decision-making