The federal sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs reached a critical point on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, marking Day 25 of testimony. The jury was dismissed for the day after hearing extensive testimony and viewing key evidence as the prosecution continues to build its case.
Key Testimony and Financial Evidence
The day’s proceedings largely centered on the continued testimony of Special Agent DeLeassa Penland from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Penland, a summary witness who reviewed evidence charts and data for the investigation, presented financial records and travel details intended to support the prosecution’s allegations.
Evidence included flight records showing travel arrangements, paid for by accounts linked to Combs, for individuals including his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura and a woman identified as a sex worker. This testimony is crucial to the transportation to engage in prostitution charges Combs faces.
Penland also detailed significant hotel damage bills charged to Combs’ businesses, including a substantial $46,786 expense at the InterContinental Hotel in New York City from October 2012. This bill, part of a much larger monthly statement, was shown to be paid by accounts controlled by Bad Boy Entertainment, which the prosecution argues facilitated the alleged criminal enterprise. Other damage costs presented included bills from the Beverly Hills Hotel and the Hermitage Hotel.
Explicit Videos Shown to Jury
For the second consecutive day, jurors were shown explicit video clips related to alleged “freak-off” encounters involving Combs, Cassie Ventura, and sex workers. The defense team presented additional, longer excerpts of these videos, recovered from Ventura’s laptop, arguing they demonstrate consensual activity. Jurors reportedly viewed these clips using headphones, with screens in the public gallery turned off, and maintained concentrated expressions.
Defense Challenges and Text Messages
During cross-examination, Combs’ defense attorney, Teny Geragos, vigorously challenged Special Agent Penland and the prosecution’s presentation of evidence. The defense used text messages between Combs and Ventura to suggest that their sexual encounters, including “freak offs,” were consensual and even enthusiastically anticipated by Ventura in some instances.
Defense lawyers highlighted texts where Ventura allegedly expressed eagerness for these sessions or discussed scheduling them. They contended that the prosecution’s evidence charts omitted certain texts that would support the defense’s argument of willing participation.
Conversely, the prosecution presented text messages exchanged shortly after an alleged violent incident in March 2016. These included panicked messages from Combs urging Ventura to return and falsely claiming police were on their way to arrest him, as well as a text from Ventura lamenting being treated like a “rag doll” and noting “crazy bruising.”
Courtroom Drama and Juror Issues
Beyond the evidence, the day saw significant procedural drama. Judge Arun Subramanian issued a stern warning to both prosecution and defense legal teams regarding a potential leak of information from a sealed court proceeding that appeared in an online article. The judge expressed strong disapproval, warning of potential criminal contempt charges for violations of gag orders and sealing orders and holding lead attorneys personally responsible for their teams’ conduct.
Issues surrounding the jury also continued. While one juror had been dismissed earlier in the trial over concerns about candor, discussion regarding a potential issue with a second juror involving alleged communication about the case was addressed by the judge.
Looking Ahead
The trial is rapidly moving towards its conclusion. Assistant US Attorney Maurene Comey stated that the prosecution now expects to rest its case by Friday. Testimony is anticipated from Brendan Paul, Combs’ former assistant, who was granted immunity after invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. His direct examination is estimated to take about 90 minutes.
The defense has estimated that their case presentation will last between two and five trial days. Based on this timeline, the judge previously indicated that the jury could receive the case for deliberations sometime next week.
Sean “Diddy” Combs remains in federal custody, having pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion. If convicted on all counts, he could face a potential sentence of life in prison.
