According to legal analysts, Sean “Diddy” Combs is “battling for his future” following serious federal and sex crime allegations.

On Monday, New York authorities took Combs into custody as he has faced numerous civil lawsuits in the past year related to allegations of misconduct extending over 30 years. The next day, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York made it clear that Combs is now charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, and transporting individuals for prostitution.

Diddy’s charges, outlined in a 14-page federal grand jury indictment that was revealed on Tuesday, indicate an extensive federal probe into the hip-hop star’s actions. Officials assert that the 54-year-old developed a complex scheme utilizing his wealth and influence in the entertainment world to fulfill his sexual needs in a “repeated and widely recognized” pattern of abuse.

Combs has insisted on his innocence regarding the civil lawsuits and on Tuesday entered a not guilty plea to all charges; he will remain incarcerated until his trial.

Federal prosecutors have gathered substantial evidence leading to an indictment against Combs. But what implications does this hold for his upcoming legal struggles and his overall career and public image? Experts are contemplating the severity of the charges and the potential outcomes for the self-described “bad boy” of the music scene.

Diddy’s indictment unsealed: Understanding a grand jury

In criminal proceedings, a grand jury evaluates the evidence provided by the prosecution in a confidential court setting to determine if there is sufficient probable cause for a trial. If grand jurors, who typically range from 16 to 23 members, conclude there is enough evidence suggesting a crime was committed by the defendant, an indictment can be issued in court.

In this case, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stated that evidence supporting the indictment “includes records obtained via over 300 grand jury subpoenas and other voluntary submissions.” Williams’ letter requesting detention argued that Combs should remain jailed before the trial, highlighting accusations that suggest possible tampering with victims, including attempts to “hide” his actions with individuals who received grand jury subpoenas to assist with the prosecution’s investigation.

Evidence presented by the prosecutors encompasses information from witnesses who testified before the grand jury, but the identities of those witnesses have not been disclosed to the public.

Investigators have collected over 90 cell phones, laptops, cloud storage accounts, and at least 30 storage devices. They issued more than 300 grand jury subpoenas to gather this evidence from various communications providers, technology firms, financial institutions, and Combs’ businesses.

Attorneys claim to have video evidence and numerous witness accounts regarding Diddy’s ‘freak offs’

Prosecutors allege they possess “dozens” of videos showcasing Combs’ so-called “freak offs” – which are reportedly days-long sexual performances involving sex workers and individuals he purportedly coerced through drugs and threats – that align with witness statements. According to the grand jury indictment, Combs and these alleged victims “received IV fluids to recover from the physical strain and drug use” after these events.

The indictment also mentions that officials from Homeland Security Investigations seized drugs and over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricants that were reportedly utilized in Combs’ “freak offs” during the raids conducted on March 25 at his residences. Additionally, multiple AR-15 rifles and high-capacity magazines were reportedly found.

Prosecutors have a significant amount of evidence against Combs, leading Anna Cominsky, an associate professor of law and director of the Criminal Defense Clinic at New York Law School, to state that the defense is facing a “challenging fight.”

According to Cominsky, the federal case against Combs is quite different from typical “he-said-she-said” situations seen in sexual assault or abuse cases, where it’s a matter of the defendant’s and victim’s conflicting accounts. “Here, we are potentially looking at numerous individuals testifying in court about the alleged actions,” she explains to YSL News.

In a letter dated September 17 to a U.S. magistrate judge, Assistant U.S. Attorney Williams presented that “multiple victims and witnesses have come forth with detailed, credible, and corroborated evidence against the defendant,” including many who have directly experienced or seen violence perpetrated by him. He underscored that their testimonies are supported by substantial external evidence.

Understanding Racketeering: Why is Diddy Charged Under RICO?

Cominsky notes that the racketeering allegations against Combs are “extremely serious” because they indicate that he didn’t just engage in illegal acts, but did so as part of a larger scheme.

But what does racketeering entail? It involves the engagement in unlawful activities, and the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 introduced the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute (RICO), enabling the government to prosecute groups involved in criminal acts.

Diddy faces accusations of sex parties, violence, and abuse. What happened to promises of ‘transparency’?

The RICO statute aims to “encompass all the inner workings of these groups, which by themselves may not be illegal, but when combined promote the criminal actions of the enterprise,” remarks Cominsky.

According to his indictment, prosecutors claim that Combs’ racketeering activities included “multiple acts of kidnapping,” arson, bribery, witness tampering, forced labor, sex trafficking, transporting individuals for prostitution, and drug distribution.

Exploring Sex Trafficking: Will the Diddy Case Echo R. Kelly’s?

The legal proceedings against Combs, set to occur in the Southern District of New York, are expected to be complex, according to various New York criminal defense attorneys.

Julie Rendelman, a criminal defense lawyer and former prosecutor in NYC, comments, “It can’t get much worse. Federal authorities typically don’t raid a home unless they believe they will uncover something significant, and they rarely indict unless they have substantial evidence.”

High-profile racketeering charges were similarly laid against R. Kelly, the disgraced R&B artist, who is currently serving over 30 years for sex trafficking and racketeering, among other offenses. He was found guilty of leading a criminal operation that exploited individuals, including minors, throughout his career.

Cominsky explains, “Both R. Kelly and Combs are alleged leaders of these criminal enterprises, indicating that there were others working under them or for that organization. This notion of a criminal enterprise is distinct from singular or multiple allegations of sexual assault against an individual, where only that person is claimed to have committed the criminal acts.”

Cominsky emphasizes the importance of the racketeering charge, stating, “I don’t believe they need other charges to escalate its seriousness. The racketeering accusation alone can lead to a life sentence, as can the sex trafficking charge. These are some of the gravest offenses.”

Matthew Galluzzo, a former prosecutor now practicing as a New York criminal defense attorney, agrees with this perspective.

Galluzzo suggests that Combs’ alleged wrongdoings “have been under investigation for months — possibly years.”

According to Rendelman, federal prosecutors typically pursue cases only when they are confident of a victory. Investigations like that of Combs’ necessitate in-depth access to witnesses and data sourced from several agencies via subpoenas.

Federal cases related to sex trafficking come with a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years. Galluzzo notes that Combs might be looking at an even longer sentence, as the maximum penalty can reach life imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.

Galluzzo adds, “Prosecutors will likely seek a severe sentence for Sean Combs.”

What effects could this have on Diddy’s career and reputation?

Galluzzo predicts that if Combs is convicted, it could lead to a life sentence in prison, stating, “There’s a high possibility of that. He is fighting for his life.”

Rendelman emphasizes that if Combs is found guilty, his music career will certainly come to an end.

Two judges have rejected Combs’ attempts to post a $50 million bond for his release from federal custody, citing concerns about potential witness tampering and obstruction. This complicates Combs’ legal team’s ability to represent him effectively, as Cominsky points out.

Cominsky explains that Combs will have to contend with these charges while in jail. “It’s incredibly hard to work with a client who’s incarcerated. Access is limited for both parties,” he says, describing it as a significant obstacle.

Prior to his current legal troubles, the MTV Video Music Awards honored Combs with the Global Icon Award in September 2023, acknowledging his outstanding career. Shortly after, he was also presented with a ceremonial key to New York City in an event linked to the launch of his new album, “The Love Album: Off the Grid.”

However, just two months later, Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura initiated several civil lawsuits against him, alleging years of abuse. Since then, at least six civil complaints have been filed against him.

Galluzzo believes that the repercussions on Combs’ career will be irreparable, regardless of the outcome of the trial. “Will he ever be able to work again if he wins this case? The allegations against him are quite disturbing and serious,” he states.

If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN provides support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) and at Hotline.RAINN.org, also available in Spanish at RAINN.org/es.