Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been handed a sentence of over four years in prison for orchestrating disturbing “freak offs” where individuals were coerced into engaging in sexual activities with male escorts under his supervision.
After a two-month trial in July, Combs was acquitted of the most serious charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking involving his ex-girlfriend Casandra ‘Cassie’ Ventura and another woman known as ‘Jane’. Nevertheless, he was found guilty of facilitating prostitution in relation to Cassie and ‘Jane’.
Upon hearing the verdict earlier this year, Combs was visibly emotional, kneeling in prayer and later clapping towards the gallery. The judge denied his request for bail, citing Combs’s disregard for the law and a tendency towards violence.
During the trial, Cassie recounted the distressing nature of the “disgusting” Freak Offs she was allegedly compelled to participate in, detailing the physical and emotional toll they took on her. She described how hotel rooms were left in disarray after the sessions, attributing the controlling and directing behavior during the encounters to Combs.
According to Cassie’s testimony, Combs’s staff provided supplies like baby oil, lubricant, and condoms for the encounters, with an emphasis on excessive use of baby oil to maintain a particular appearance at Combs’s direction.
The court was informed that the sessions involved a sequence of activities starting with oil application and touching, leading to oral sex and intercourse, all under Combs’s guidance. Cassie expressed her discomfort with certain requests, such as being urinated on, which left her feeling humiliated and overwhelmed.
In a vulnerable moment, Cassie admitted to finding solace in the time spent with Combs during the encounters, despite her feelings of degradation and disgust. She revealed her attempts to communicate her reluctance to participate in the activities, fearing repercussions from Combs.
Cassie disclosed that some sessions extended for days with intermittent breaks, resulting in significant physical and mental strain, including drug use to cope with the demands. She shared that Combs would provide substances like ecstasy or cocaine to sustain the sessions, dictating their duration.
Defense counsel Teny Geragos acknowledged Combs’s history of violence, referencing a documented incident of physical assault on Cassie as evidence of domestic abuse rather than sex trafficking. Geragos maintained that while Combs has flaws, he is not a perpetrator of organized crime or prostitution.
For resources and support related to domestic abuse, individuals can contact the National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline or visit relevant advocacy organizations’ websites.