This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing. Attorneys forSean "Diddy" Combsare gearing up to take the lead in hiscriminal trialas prosecutors wind down their initial round of arguments. The embattled hip-hop mogul returned to Manhattan court on June 23 for the latest installment in his sweeping federal sex-crimes case. U.S. attorneys hope to wrap testimony by end of day, while Combs' lawyers expect to rest by end of day June 24 or 25. Closing arguments are tentatively set to commence next Thursday, June 26. Jurors last heard from Combs' former assistantBrendan Paul, who took the stand June 20. The 26-year-old alleged "drug mule" testified about his2024 arrestas well as his demanding job, which consisted of working long hours andprocuring ketamine and ecstasyfor Combs' "personal use." He also denied witnessing criminal activity at the mogul's "king nights," another name for Combs'"freak off" sex parties. Homeland Security agent Joseph Cerciello also testified, detailing flight logs, texts, financial records and hotel reports tied to Combs that painted the Grammy-winning rapper's lavish lifestyle. Combs, 55, wasarrested in Septemberand charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He haspleaded not guilty. Diddy on trial newsletter:Step inside the courtroom as music mogul faces sex-crimes charges. "You were not some drug mule, am I right?"Brian Steel, a defense lawyer for Combs, asked during cross-examination on June 20, to which Paul responded: "Absolutely not." Asked by Steel what he understood a drug mule to be, Paul said: "Someone who traffics kilos and kilos across the world." Paul's employment ended in March 2024, he testified. He was on a private jet with Combs' then-chief of staffKristina "KK" Khorramand Combs headed for the Bahamas, when he got arrested for cocaine possession. The cocaine was for Combs. On the stand, Paul said the cocaine found were just drugs he had forgotten in his bag when he went to the airport, clarifying that neither Khorram nor Combs had requested them that day. The total amount was 0.7 grams, he added, which Steel characterized as for "personal use as best." U.S. Attorney Christy Slavic asked Paul during his testimony why he didn't tell law enforcement that the cocaine belonged to Combs. He responded simply, saying, "Loyalty." Discover WITNESS:Access our exclusive collection of true crime stories, podcasts, videos and more As Combs' personal assistant, Paul said his duties included making the music mogul's meal plans, coordinating workouts, packing "a lot of joints" and making sure he was on time for things like flights. Paul added during his June 20 testimony that he usually worked between 80 and 100 hours a week but was always on call. He started at $76,000 a year, but by the time his employment was over, he was making $100,000 a year, the man told jurors. Asked about procuring drugs for Combs, Paul said he did it more than five times but less than 10. He observed Combs doing cocaine, ketamine, marijuana and ecstasy, but not all that often, he said, and verified that he had arranged and cleaned up after "hotel nights" but only a few times. The disgraced music mogul is in custody, and, despite repeated attempts at bail,has remainedconfined to the Special Housing Unit in Brooklyn'sMetropolitan Detention Center. He has been in jail since his arrest on Sept. 16, 2024. During aSeptember 2024 press conference, U.S. attorney Damian Williams detailed the paraphernalia discovered during the federal raids of Combs' homes. The items included multiple AR-15 guns, large-capacity magazines, "evidence" of Combs' alleged sex crimes and over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant. According to Combs' original indictment, the baby oil bottles were used during the hip-hop mogul's alleged "freak off" parties, which were described as "elaborate and produced sex performances" that involved sex workers. Combs and his employees conducted freak offs by booking hotel rooms and stocking them with supplies such as baby oil, lube, extra bedsheets and lighting, per the indictment. The rapper allegedly "arranged, directed" and "masturbated" during these sometimes dayslong "performances," and drugs were reportedly distributed to victims, in part, to keep them "obedient and compliant." Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling case that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry. He was arrested inSeptember 2024and later charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. The rapper has pleaded not guilty to the five counts against him. Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity. Using RICO law, which is typically aimed attargeting multi-person criminal organizations,prosecutors allegethat Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in"freak offs"— sometimes dayslong sex performances that federal prosecutors allege they have on video. The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings. USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom.Sign up for our newsletterfor more updates. Contributing: USA TODAY staff If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) andHotline.RAINN.organd en EspañolRAINN.org/es. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Diddy trial live updates: Is he in jail? Was baby oil found in home?