
This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing. Sean "Diddy" Combs' bombshellcriminal trialenters its homestretch as prosecutors wrap up their case against the embattled hip-hop mogul. Attorneys for the U.S. government, who have presented the court with graphic evidence of Combs' alleged"freak off" sex parties, returned to Manhattan court on June 24 to finish cross-examination by Combs' legal team. The prosecution plans to rest its case by midday, handing it over to the defense team to make its argument in the sweeping federal sex-crimes case. The procedural handoff comes after Homeland Security agent Joseph Cerciello concluded his testimony on June 23, with the federal official reviewing an extensive paper trail of hotel bills, flight details and other purchases relating to the elaborate sexual performances Combs has been accused of orchestrating. Prosecutors continued to paint a picture of Combs and his employees being personally involved withorganizing "freak offs,"working with escorts, Combs' partners and others. That included making travel arrangements for Combs' former girlfriend"Jane,"as well as male escorts and other entertainers. 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. As Cerciello continued his testimony on June 23, the jury was shown several videos of Combs' ex-girlfriendJane. Lead prosecutor Maurene Comey called the videos "explicit" several times. The jury watched the footage for about 20 minutes while wearing headphones. The monitors that had been shown to the courtroom gallery were turned off, and reporters couldn't see the videos. Cerciello said all the videos featured Jane and sex workerSly Williams. Combs was also seen in some of the footage. The agent mainly looked up and around the courtroom gallery rather than at his screen while the videos played. Discover WITNESS:Access our exclusive collection of true crime stories, podcasts, videos and more During the June 23 hearing, Combs' defense attorneyTeny Geragosintroduced text messages between Combs and Jane, in which the anonymous witness was enthusiastic about some sexual acts between the couple. "I really had a great night," Jane said in one message. The move comes as Combs' lawyers have argued that many of the rapper's partners were willing participants in his alleged sexual performances. Geragos also played sealed videos for Cerciello and the jury, but there was no audio or visuals for the courtroom. At the end of the June 23 hearing,Geragostold Judge Arun Subramanian that the rapper's legal team had an hour and 15 minutes left of questioning for cross-examination. Regarding jury deliberations, a meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 25, in which prosecutors and Combs' attorneys will talk about jury instructions with Subramanian. Jurors won't be present for the discussion. Closing arguments are expected to begin Thursday, June 26 and stretch into the following day. Geragos said both prosecutors and defense lawyers estimate their arguments will last four hours each. 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." In 2024, Forbes magazine estimated Combs'net worth at $400 million— a significant drop from its 2019 figure of$740 million. Both Combs and his team later claimed he was a billionaire, Forbes said, despite offering no documentation to back up the claim. According to publicly available documents and news reports, Combs' most valuable personal possession is likely his 17,000-square-foot, 10-bedroom mansion, appraised at more than $61 million, in the affluent Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles. It was raided as part of a criminal probe and listed for sale in September 2024. 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: Prosecutors to rest after freak off probe