After more than a month of intense courtroom testimony, Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex trafficking trial is nearing its end.
Nearly three dozen witnesses—including former partners, assistants, hotel staff, federal agents, male escorts, and a rival rapper—have taken the stand, offering graphic accounts of alleged abuse.
On Tuesday, prosecutors rested their case after Homeland Security special agent Joseph Cerciello concluded three days of testimony. Hours later, Combs’ defense team rested without calling a single witness. The 55-year-old music mogul declined to testify, telling the judge it was his personal decision.
Closing arguments are set for Thursday, followed by jury deliberations.
Federal prosecutors accuse Diddy of orchestrating a long-running campaign of abuse and control. They allege he used drugs, threats, weapons, and psychological intimidation to force women into what were described in court as “freak offs”—prolonged sex acts allegedly driven by narcotics and coercion. Prosecutors say he then used violence, arson, and his business power to silence victims and hide the crimes.
Combs faces five serious charges: one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution. If convicted, he could receive a life sentence.
Throughout the trial, Diddy has denied all wrongdoing. His attorneys argue the encounters were consensual and claim the government’s case relies on unreliable witnesses with hidden agendas. They portray him as a target of exaggeration and vengeance.
While the court decides his fate, the trial has already cast a long shadow over Diddy’s legacy. Once hailed as a visionary behind Bad Boy Records, he now stands at the center of one of the most explosive trials in hip-hop history. The jury must now determine whether his influence protected predation—or if justice will finally catch up.
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