This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing. Afederal agent. A former aide and a psychologist. Alongtime rap rival. Those witnesses could take the stand inSean "Diddy" Combs'sweeping federal sex-crimes trial this week. Gerard Gannon, a Homeland Security special agent, is up first on May 21, describing the massiveraid on Combs' Miami mansionlast year. Scott Mescudi, better known as rapperKid Cudi, isexpected to take the standin the coming days. Diddyallegedly threatenedthe musician after he and Combs' former girlfriendCassie Ventura Finedated briefly over a decade ago. Combs'alleged abuse of Ventura Finehas taken center stage in the embattled hip-hop mogul's trial. Regina Ventura, Cassie's mother, told the court on May 20 she was "physically sick" over the rapper's alleged abuse, and she was once pressured to send him $20,000 after he raged at her daughter. Meanwhile, David James, one of Combs' former assistants recounted an intense incident during which he reportedly came face-to-face with Combs' longtime music rival,Marion "Suge" Knight, at a Los Angeles restaurant. Combs, 55, wasarrested in September 2024and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty. During Gannon's testimony, jurors were shown photos from the2024 raid on Combs' mansion in Miami Beach, Florida. Federal investigators found three cell phones hidden inside of a pair of boots from the designer brand Balenciaga. A black Gucci bag was allegedlyfilled with drugsincluding Xanax, cocaine, ketamine and MDMA. In the master bathroom of the home, agents said they found a wooden box with a gold plate on top that said "Puffy" – one of Combs' nicknames – which contained MDMA and Psilocybin, a hallucinogenic. In the mansion's guest house security room, a loaded .45 caliber handgun was found inside a red suitcase. Drawers in a hallway closet contained 25 bottles of baby oil and 31 bottles ofAstroglide lubricant. Prosecutors have alleged that Combs used the substances in his drug-fueled "freak offs" at the center of his sex-crimes charges. Before special agent Gannon took the stand, lawyers on either side sparred over showing a photo of Combs' late partner,Kim Porter, as evidence. Prosecutors argued against it, saying the "relevance is extremely low" and expressing fear at the photo "tugging at the jurors' heartstrings." Prosecutors also worried that it would confuse jurors, and imply that if Combs was convicted, his children would be without a parent. Combs and Portershare four children. Gannon told the court that on March 24, 2024, he was part of a team thatsearched of Combs' Miami mansion. Nearly 90 agents were involved in the search, which happened while Combs and his familywere not in the home. Gannon said law enforcement found the upper receivers ofAR-15 weapons, as well as gun magazines. Agents also found sex toys, lubricant and baby oil in the home, all parts of thealleged freak offsCombs conducted for years, as well as illegal drugs. Just Arun Subramanian, the judge hearing Combs' federal sex-crimes trial, appeared to reject a request from the rapper's lawyers to subpoena Ventura Fine. It wasn't immediately clear why Combs' team made the request, which the judge turned down May 20, but his lawyers have repeatedly tried to target her claims of his physical, sexual and emotional abuse in their relationship. Diddy on trial newsletter:Step inside the courtroom as music mogul faces sex-crimes charges. While on the stand May 20, Ventura was quickly asked by prosecutors about an email her daughter mentioned in previous testimony. In the message, sent on Dec. 23, 2011, Ventura Fine confessed to her mother that Combs wasthreatening to release a sex tapeof her on Christmas Day. Around the same time, Ventura Fine told her mother about thealleged physical abuseshe was facing from Combs. Ventura said she was told she needed to wire $20,000 to Combs because he was "angry that he spent money on her (Cassie) and that she had been with another person." Although she wired the funds to Combs' company, the woman said the money came back four to five days later. During Ventura's May 20 testimony, prosecutors showed jurors photos of bruises on Cassie's body fromChristmas Eve in 2011. "She was bruised, and I wanted to make sure we memorialized it," Ventura said of taking the photos. When asked by prosecutors how her daughter got the bruises, Ventura alleged, "She wasbeaten by Sean Combs." While speaking to the court on May 20, Ventura recalled getting into a physical altercation with Combs during an August 2016 visit to Los Angeles for Ventura Fine's birthday. The woman testified that she and Combs had a "bitter argument" outside Ventura Fine's apartment after the rapper allegedly stole Cassie's phone. "I wanted the phone back. I was yelling, screaming and trying to hit him," Ventura reflected. After returning Cassie's phone, Ventura said Combstook her daughter's vehicle. James testified on May 20 that he ended his employment with Combs following aNovember 2008 incidentthat made him fear for his safety. James said he andCombs' longtime friend, known as D-Roc, were sent to pick up food for Combs at a diner, where they encountered Suge Knight, one of Diddy's top competitors in the music industry. The man said he and D-Roc ordered food, but while waiting, they saw four black SUVs pull up, and someone walked over andhanded Knight a gun, James said. After returning to Combs' house, Combs made James drive him andD-Rocback to the diner, and the rapper had three handguns in his lap, James said. James testified that he was "really shook up" by the experience and that this was the first time he felt that "my life was in danger" while working for Combs. Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling lawsuit that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry. He wasarrested in September 2024and has been charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He haspleaded not guiltyto all five counts. 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 claim they have video of. 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. Contributing: USA TODAY staff If you are a survivor of sexual assault,RAINNoffers 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 the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Diddy trial updates live: Can you watch Diddy trial? Is it televised?
