NEC legal expert explains Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal indictment

Contributing Reporters: Lauren Hall, Kyle Dobrie, Leah Bohling, Justin Fredua-Agyeman, Soob Soobitsky, Jasen Stovall

*Disclaimer: this story contains strong language and sensitive topics including sexual violence and assault.

Sean “Diddy” Combs will begin his trial on federal indictment charges on May 5, 2025. Combs is charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation for purposes of prostitution. 

The indictment states “members and associates of the Combs Enterprise engaged in, and attempted to engage in, among other activities, sex trafficking, forced labor, interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution, coercion and enticement to engage in prostitution, narcotics offenses, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice.”

The indictment comes after a likely lengthy investigation; according to NEC Criminal Justice Professor Rick Hubbard, who prior to teaching worked for the FBI and was a federal criminal defense attorney for 35 years.  They’ve got him “dead to rights” Hubbard said, “there’s so much effort and work that goes into a federal prosecution, and a case of this nature of a person of this caliber and high visibility.” 

In Nov. of 2023, Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, filed a civil lawsuit alleging sexual and physical abuse under New York state’s Adult Survivor’s Act, which was created to allow survivors of trauma and sexual assault an additional window of time to file civil suits, even if it was outside the statute of limitations. This is the same law that allowed writer E. Jean Carroll to sue Donald Trump for sexual abuse and defamation. Ventura and Combs settled outside of court a day after the suit was filed. 

That same month, two other civil suits were filed against Combs under the Adult Survivors Act. Both are still open at this time. There are currently multiple other open civil suits against Combs. 

On March 25, 2024, Comb’s Los Angeles and Miami homes were raided by homeland security in connection to a sex trafficking investigation. The indictment states that law enforcement found multiple types of firearms including some with defaced serial numbers and numerous narcotics. 

After a lengthy investigation, Combs was arrested at a New York City hotel by federal agents on indictment charges on Sept. 16, 2024. 

“They could literally try this case in the next couple weeks if they had to,” Hubbard said.

On Sept. 17, 2024, Combs pleaded not guilty to the charges. “Mr. Combs is a fighter. He’s going to fight this to the end. He’s innocent,” said Mark Agnifilo, Combs’ lawyer. 

Combs was denied bail and was ordered to stay in custody. “This is a victim case you know, [the judge] would be very concerned that his behavior or the conduct within that company would continue while he’s on bail,” Hubbard said. Combs has requested bail multiple times since, and has been denied.  

In a recent hearing, Combs’ trial was officially set for May 5, 2025. When the NewEnglander spoke to Professor Hubbard, he predicted that due to the nature of this case, the trial would likely take place within 6-12 months from the time of the arrest. “It’s an interesting case. It’s got a lot of legs. I think there’s still stuff coming out every day,” said Hubbard.