Everything to Know About Diddy's Sex Trafficking Trial — from 'Freak Offs' to a Key Witness

The long-awaited trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs is set to kick off with juror selection on May 5, as the mogul prepares to face charges that could land him in prison for the rest of his life if convicted.

Combs was arrested last September in New York City, with federal prosecutors indicting him on racketeering and sex trafficking charges. He has pleaded not guilty.

The trial is expected to last several weeks, if not months and could potentially feature some high-profile witnesses.

Combs, who built a successful business empire and has for years been a powerbroker in the music industry, is now fighting both serious criminal and civil accusations. 

Here is what you need to know in advance of his high-profile federal trial:

What Charges Will Diddy Face?

In September, Combs was indicted on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He was arrested at a Manhattan hotel, where he had been staying in anticipation of the eventual indictment.

The indictment alleges that Combs used his business empire to conduct “freak-offs,” which prosecutors describe as highly orchestrated sex performances.

Prosecutors claims Combs forced or coerced women into participating in the extended sexual acts and would allegedly leverage his power and influence to do so.

The most serious charge Combs faces is racketeering, which carries a potential life sentence. To land a conviction, prosecutors will need to prove he ran a criminal enterprise.

“Combs relied on the employees, resources, and influence of the multi-faceted business empire that he led and controlled — creating a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in, and attempted to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice,” prosecutors alleged in the indictment.

The indictment also describes an incident in which Combs allegedly assaulted his ex, singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, in a Los Angeles hotel in 2016.

Though she is not named in the indictment, the described incident matches up with hotel surveillance footage published by CNN that appeared to show Combs — clad in a white towel — strike, kick, drag and throw an object at Ventura. 

Ventura sued Combs in November 2023, accusing him of sexual assault, prior to his indictment. The suit was settled the very next day.

Since then, Combs has been sued by dozens of others, accusing him of sexual misconduct. He has denied the allegations.

‘Freak Offs’

The indictment against Combs centers around alleged “freak offs,” a term that has become synonymous with the allegations.

According to prosecutors, “freak offs” are “elaborate and produced sex performances” that Combs allegedly orchestrated.

Combs is accused of forcing or coercing women to participate in the “freak offs” with male sex workers, who were flown in from around the country.

Following a raid of Combs’ homes in Miami and Los Angeles, Combs alleged investigators found “freak off supplies,” including drugs and over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant.

The alleged “freak offs” would sometimes last days, prosecutors claim, and would involve heavy drug use. Combs allegedly took and kept videos of the sex acts, sometimes without the knowledge of the women involved, the indictment alleges.

Following the exhausting ordeals, prosecutors allege Combs and the women would receive IV treatments to recover.

Further, prosecutors accuse members of Combs’ business, including high-ranking individuals, of being involved in organizing the “freak offs” by arranging travel, booking hotel rooms and stocking them with supplies, while also delivering cash to pay sex workers and scheduling delivery of IV fluids, per the indictment.

Combs’ defense team has maintained that the sexual encounters were consensual.

Where Is Diddy Now?

Since his arrest, Combs has been behind bars, despite multiple requests for bail.

Three different federal judges have denied Combs’ bail attempts, citing concerns of potential witness tampering.

Combs has been in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, which also currently houses Luigi Mangione. 

During his court appearances, Combs has worn a tan prison uniform and now sports a gray beard. For his trial, the mogul will be permitted to wear non-prison garb.

Who Will Appear at Diddy’s Trial?

Cassie Ventura, Combs’ ex whose explosive lawsuit sparked the emergence of several other accusers, is expected to testify during the trial, PEOPLE previously reported.

Sources previously told PEOPLE that Ventura is Victim-1 mentioned in the indictment. She is expected to testify under her real name.

The judge presiding over the case in the Southern District of New York is U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, who was appointed to the bench in 2023 by former President Joe Biden.

Combs’ high-profile legal team is led by Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, who is the daughter of well-known defense attorney Mark Geragos — who himself is known for representing Scott Peterson and the Menendez Brothers.

Brian Steel, a Georgia attorney who notably represented rapper Young Thug in a notorious racketeering trial, also recently joined Combs’ defense team.

The prosecution is being conducted by several Assistant U.S. Attorneys, including Maurene Ryan Comey, the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey. Previously, she prosecuted Ghislaine Maxwell in her sex trafficking trial.

Combs’ previous court hearings have been attended by his sons, Justin and Christian Combs, and Quincy Brown.

What Will Diddy’s Defense Be?

Combs’ lawyers were unsuccessful in trying to get the surveillance video showing the Ventura assault excluded from trial.

In a recent court appearance, reported by ABC News, Agnifilo seemingly hinted at part of the defense’s strategy when he remarked that his client was a “swinger.”

“There’s a lifestyle, call it swingers, that he was in that he thought was appropriate,” Agnifilo said, according to ABC. “The reason he thought it was appropriate is because it’s so common.”