Jury selection began Monday in the federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial of music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs, just days after he rejected a final plea deal offer from prosecutors.
Two superseding indictments were filed in March and April, adding charges related to forced labor and additional trafficking allegations, according to the Independent. Despite mounting legal pressure, Combs has maintained his innocence and turned down a plea agreement offered late last week.
The jury selection process, which could take several days, will determine who will hear what is shaping up to be one of the most high-profile celebrity criminal trials in recent memory.
The 55-year-old hip-hop artist was first arrested in September 2024 following a sweeping federal investigation. Authorities accused Combs and his associates of orchestrating a years-long scheme involving sex trafficking, coercion, and abuse.
Prosecutors claim Combs arranged what he called "Freak Offs"—sex performances that victims were allegedly forced to participate in and which were sometimes filmed.
Combs faces a five-count indictment in Manhattan federal court, including charges of sex trafficking, transportation for prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy. His Miami and Los Angeles properties were raided in March, where authorities say they found narcotics, surveillance devices, and over 1,000 bottles of lubricant and baby oil—items prosecutors argue support the allegations of orchestrated sexual exploitation.
If convicted, Combs could face decades in prison. In addition to the criminal trial, he remains entangled in numerous civil suits alleging sexual assault and abuse dating back to the 1990s.
