The Rise and Fall of Diddy - Nowhere Left to Run: 3

Episode Date: March 4, 2025

Diddy’s dramatic descent reaches its final act. The music mogul, once a cultural titan, faces life-altering federal charges for racketeering, sex trafficking, and a web of alleged criminal activities. A meticulous federal operation leads to his arrest; then, the chilling revelations of "freak offs," and the legal fallout that could see Diddy spend the rest of his life in prison. And this is only the beginning of the fight for justice and redemption.Listen to The Rise & Fall of Diddy exclusively on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting www.wondery.com/shows/the-rise-and-fall-of-diddy--Sean Combs’ trial is currently slated for May 2025 and wherever this story goes, Law&Crime will be there. Follow The Rise & Fall of Diddy page and stay subscribed to be the first to know when new episodes drop.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Please listen with care. It was a surreal morning in Midtown Manhattan on September 16th, 2024. The city moved to its usual rhythm, taxis honking, pedestrians hustling, the noise of construction mixing with the hum of conversation.

But in one corner of the city, a quiet storm brewed. The operation began in the early hours with agents fanning out across multiple locations tied to Diddy. The Department of Homeland Security had worked closely with local law enforcement and federal prosecutors to ensure that every detail was in place. It wasn't just about securing a single arrest. It was about dismantling what the indictment would later describe as a network engaged

in years of criminal activity. I'm Jesse Weber and this is the Rise and Fall of Diddy. At the Park Hyatt Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, where Diddy had been holed up for a week anticipating his imminent arrest, agents executed their warrant with precision. A convoy of unmarked vehicles rolled up to the luxury building, their arrival swift and calculated. Within moments, the team entered, securing the premises. Diddy, accustomed to commanding rooms with his presence, was caught off guard by the quiet professionalism of the agents as he entered the hotel, his entourage entail. There were no raised voices, no dramatics, only the cold, methodical process of taking him to a back room, reading him his rights, placing him in handcuffs, and taking him into

federal custody. The convoy wove through Manhattan, heading toward the Federal Detention Center in Brooklyn. Diddy, seated in the back, was silent, his mind likely racing. The charges weren't just allegations. They were an indictment of his life, his choices, his very identity. Whatever happens, Diddy is facing up to life in prison. By the time Diddy reached Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, the news of his arrest had already broken. You go from living large with your multimillion dollar mansion and your private plane and your fancy cigars

to living in a rat-infested detention facility until you're wearing an orange jumpsuit and a pair of steel bracelets. It's not real. Now it's real. Media outlets blared headlines. Sean Diddy Combs arrested on federal charges. Outside the facility, protesters and supporters gathered, their voices mixing into a chaotic cacophony. But inside, Diddy was processed like any other detainee. His fingerprints were taken, his mugshot captured, a stark departure from the red carpets and

flashing lights he was used to. As the cell door closed behind him, Diddy was left with the cold, hard reality of his situation. The man who had once towered over the music industry, who had transformed culture and built an empire, now sat alone. of his situation. The man who had once towered over the music industry, who had transformed culture and built an empire, now sat alone, stripped of power and privilege. The clang of the metal bars reverberated in his ears, a sound that would mark the first chapter of the fight for his freedom. Simultaneously

other teams were busy collecting evidence from key properties associated with the mogul. Offices, storage units, and a private estate were all targeted, with agents confiscating documents, electronic devices, and other materials. Every move was coordinated down to the minute, ensuring that no detail was overlooked and no potential leads were lost. It took six months-ish from when the raid happened to when the arrest happened. I thought that it would take anywhere up to a year, quite frankly, for an arrest to be made. I think folks don't fully understand how long it takes to go through digital evidence. It takes so long because there is so much hours and hours and hours and hours of

video, hours of phone texts, hours of phone calls. All of those things take a lot of resources to process and a lot of time. And then you have to go through and identify these nameless individuals that are in these videos. So then that whole process takes a while as well. They actually, in my opinion, probably actually made this a priority in terms of processing through all of that. So I think it happened quickly. As the day unfolded, news of the arrest went global.

Paparazzi and reporters swarmed outside the building, their cameras flashing as federal vehicles departed the scene. Social media exploded with speculation, disbelief and debate. For some, the arrest was shocking. Brothers, it was the long awaited reckoning of a powerful figure. Yet this was only the beginning. I'm Indra Varma.

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Who Invaded Suburbia early and ad-free with Wondery Plus. On the morning of September 17th, 2024, the press briefing room at the Southern District of New York's U.S. Attorney's Office was abuzz with anticipation. Journalists, legal analysts, and curious onlookers filled the space, all awaiting a significant announcement. At precisely 10 a.m., Damian Williams, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, stepped up to the podium, his demeanor composed yet resolute. Today I'm announcing the unsealing of a three-count indictment, charging Sean Combs with racketeering

conspiracy, sex trafficking, interstate transportation for prostitution. The room fell silent as Williams detailed the allegations. Between at least 2008 and the present, Combs abused, threatened, and coerced victims to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct. Sean Combs led and participated in a racketeering conspiracy that used the business empire he controlled to carry out criminal activity including sex trafficking forced labor kidnapping arson

bribery and the obstruction of justice Behind him a display showcased images of evidence seized during the raids on combs residences in Los Angeles and Miami the raids on Combs' residences in Los Angeles and Miami. The photographs included AR-15 rifles with defaced serial numbers, high capacity ammunition magazines and electronic devices containing explicit images and videos. Williams pointed to these items, underscoring the severity of the charges. Then, he shared the allegation that got everybody's attention. Combs allegedly planned and controlled sex performances, which he called freak-offs, and he often electronically recorded them. The freak-offs sometimes lasted days at a time,

involved multiple commercial sex workers, and often involved a variety of narcotics such as ketamine, ecstasy, and GHB, which Combs distributed to the victims to keep them obedient and compliant. As alleged when Combs didn't get his way, he was violent and he subjected victims of physical, emotional, and verbal abuse so that they would participate in the freak-offs. And that combs hit, kicked, threw objects at, and dragged victims at times by their hair. The confirmation of the freak-offs spurred audible gasps. I think the freak-offs were the most shocking thing in the indictment.

It's one thing to know that he had wild parties, but then the fact that Diddy filmed himself and filmed other shows, that he didn't care about getting caught because he thought he would never get caught. Freak Off's really kind of a focus of this indictment. All of this kind of came together there. And that was these individuals who were basically being trafficked across state lines to engage in these kind of multi-day,

if not weeks sometimes, sex parties where they were being basically assaulted and being made to do things against their will, being drugged, being tied up, and then being beaten so badly that they couldn't go back out in public for days after. At its core, what the government is saying is that there's a criminal enterprise that Sean Combs is the leader of that transports women and male prostitutes for the purpose of having these freak-offs, these sex parties where people are drugged and they have sex for days on end. There are a number of charges underneath them, but the freak-offs in these parties are really

the heart of this case. One would assume that once Combs knew he was being targeted by federal authorities, he would have straightened up his act. But that's not what happened. The freak-offs continued after that March raid. But I guess the reality is, is that he has gotten off with so much in terms of law enforcement that it's not surprising that he would feel that brazen and embolden to continue them. And as he concluded his remarks, Williams made a direct appeal.

This investigation is ongoing and I encourage anyone with information about this case to come forward and to do it quickly. The gravity of the announcement was palpable and the reverence for the victims who spurred the indictment was not lost on anybody. I want to express my deep appreciation for the victims and witnesses who have used their voices and helped bring this criminal conduct to light. We would not be here without them. For Damian Williams, it was a pivotal moment in his tenure as U.S. Attorney,

marking a significant step in the pursuit of justice. He used his business and employees of that business and other close associates to get his way. A year ago, Sean Combs stood in Times Square and was handed a key to New York City. Today, he's been indicted and will face justice. For Diddy and his team, this was a nightmare, albeit predictable. Diddy knew what was coming, and that's what his lawyers said. He came to New York because he knew this could happen.

He could be arrested. Outside the courthouse after his arraignment, Diddy's attorney, Mark Agnifilo, made a statement of his own. I spent the evening with him. I was with him until about one o'clock. His spirits are good. He's confident. He is dealing with this head on the way he's dealt with every challenge in his life.

And he's not guilty. He's innocent of these charges. We're going to fight this case with everything we have as is he. And eventually he's going to be shown to be innocent. And so tomorrow we fight again, and we fight, we'll fight every day until we don't have to fight anymore. And if he loses the fight? The charges in the latest indictment are very serious.

From a jail time perspective, the Racketerra conspiracy, minimum, minimum of 20 years to life, trafficking minimum 15 to contend with the battle for bail. The hearing was set for September 18th, 2024. As the session commenced, U.S. Magistrate Judge Robin Tarnowsky presided over the proceedings. The prosecution, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Smith, presented a compelling argument against granting bail.

Smith detailed the severity of the charges and emphasized the potential risks associated with Combs release. There are three main reasons why. Number one, the allegations show he's a danger to the community. Number two, he's a flight risk. I mean, here's a guy with lots of resources, lots of connections around the world.

And third, he had been known to obstruct and tamper with witnesses to try to intimidate them. Why wouldn't he try to do that if he's out? In response, Combs defense attorney Mark Agnifilo presented a robust case for bail. He proposed a comprehensive bail package, including a $50 million bond co-signed by Combs and several family members, the surrender of his passport, home detention with electronic monitoring and regular check-ins with pretrial services. Agnifilo argued that these conditions would mitigate any flight risk or potential for witness tampering.

After considering the arguments, Judge Tarnowski delivered her decision. She acknowledged the defense's proposed conditions, but ultimately sided with the prosecution. Citing the gravity of the charges and the potential risks, she denied bail, ordering that combs remain in federal custody pending trial. Her decision garnered mixed reactions. The fact that he wasn't granted bail is not necessarily a bad thing. He has a history in that indictment of seriously intimidating witnesses. I was disappointed in the judge's decision because with such a bail package that was presented it was more than enough to secure his presence

in court but to have him detained without being convicted, I think is cruel and unusual punishment. And inside the courtroom, Combs, known for his composed demeanor, maintained his stoic expression. Though the weight of the ruling was evident, his legal team immediately indicated plans to appeal the decision, setting the stage for further legal battles in the weeks to come. Outside a throng of media personnel and onlookers awaited the news of the bail denial

spread rapidly, adding another layer of complexity to the high profile case that had already captured public attention. Legal experts began analyzing the potential ramifications of the charges discussions emerged about the likelihood of a plea deal. Plea deal is always possible. And I think people in my position as legal analysts, contributors, hosts, whatever the title we have, we're always hesitant to make predictions

because oftentimes we're wrong. But this is my thought process. This case is going to trial. The reason why I say that is because I can't imagine a plea deal that the government would give Sean Combs that one society would be okay with and that two Sean Combs would take. Because if he's looking at a minimum of 20 years to life on the Rico, what deal is the government going to give him? 15 years? 10 years? I mean, if he's offered 10 or 15 years, he's better take that and run.

As horrible as that sounds. Meanwhile, Combs' legal team prepared for the upcoming court proceedings, emphasizing his presumption of innocence and vowing a vigorous defense. The days following the arrest marked the beginning of a complex legal battle, with the public and media closely monitoring each development and a lot of speculation about what might come next. Now that he's behind bars pretrial, you'll see more people come forward who otherwise would have been scared.

Definitely other people will be subpoenaed. I'm curious to see whether other people have been mentioned and the prosecution has struck deals with them to have them cooperate and testify against Ron Combs or whether down the line there'll be additional charges and additional defendants on the indictment. This is a serious case against Diddy. Additional allegations could come out against him. There could be a superseding indictment.

I believe that there's far more evidence that the government has that they didn't need to disclose to get this arrest warrant for him. You said we're not done and that comes did not do this alone. Do you foresee that there could be other charges related to this case. I'm not taking anything off the table. Could other elites be implicated in the fallout. Already you're hearing rumors of other celebrities associated

with this no one wants to be mentioned in the same sentence as Diddy right now. This is getting towards Jeffrey Epstein levels, and no one wants to be in that neighborhood. So I think that as this moves forward, I think you'll see a lot more attention paid to it. I think you'll see celebrities running away from it, and I think you'll see additional charges and victims come out. Well, da Williams mentioned both victims and witnesses in his news conference in the actual indictment no victims are listed specifically.

But one is implied. When we look at the indictment they mentioned victim number one, but when you look at the indictment, they mention victim number one. But when you look at the allegations, specifically about a hotel incident that was captured on video, where allegedly Sean Combs had beaten on Cassie Ventura, you can only infer that the person that they're talking about as victim number one is Cassie Ventura. Other victims haven't been named in the indictment itself. It could be possibly because when it comes to sexual assault cases, usually you do not mention their name.

You keep them under a pseudonym or as a victim number one or a victim number two. And more shockingly, besides the victims' names, something else was left out of the indictment. In Ronnie Jones's civil lawsuit, he alleges potentially the trafficking of minors. Rodney wasn't the only one to make this claim. I do think the issue of minors will come up because of the testimony of Don Richard,

who alleged that there were minors who were victims here. It just hasn't been charged yet. It did come back up. The wall of silence has now been broken and victims are coming forward. Our team has had at this point, more than 3,285 individuals contact us with people claiming to have been victimized by Sean Combs. After vetting, we now represent 120 individuals who intend to bring

civil claims in civil court against Sean Diddy Combs, as well as claims against many other individuals and entities that we will name as defendants as we file these individual cases. In late October 2024, the legal troubles of Sean Diddy Combs intensified with the emergence of two more harrowing lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct involving minors. The first lawsuit, filed by an anonymous plaintiff, recounts a 2005 incident where a 10-year-old aspiring rapper was invited to a New York hotel under the pretense of an audition.

There he alleges he was drugged and sexually assaulted by Combs. The second lawsuit details events from 2008. A 17-year-old male attended an audition, eager to participate in the MTV reality show Making the Band, which Combs hosted and produced. The lawsuit alleges that during this audition, Combs and a bodyguard sexually assaulted the teenager. And attorney Tony Busby claims there's more than just these two. How many minors are making accusations in total and are the feds aware of the allegations of minors in the case? I don't know what the feds are aware of, but I do know it's 25 out of this 120. In response to these mounting allegations, Combs has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

His legal team has characterized the claims as baseless and has vowed to vigorously defend against them. Despite these denials, the sheer volume and nature of the allegations have led to increased scrutiny from both the public and law enforcement agencies. As victims continue to come forward in the months following his arrest, Diddy, confined within the austere walls of the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn,

continued digging a hole for himself. Despite the physical barriers, prosecutors allege that Combs orchestrated a clandestine campaign to manipulate the forthcoming legal proceedings. Prosecutors have accused Diddy of attempting to influence witnesses and potential jurors from jail, alleging he used unauthorized communication methods to contact individuals involved in the case. Utilizing the prison's communication systems, Combs reportedly circumvented monitoring protocols by employing other inmates' phone accounts and engaging in unauthorized three-way calls. Through these channels, he allegedly reached out to potential witnesses, exerting pressure to alter their testimonies or dissuade them from cooperating with authorities.

Beyond direct contact, Combs is accused of leveraging his influence to sway public perception. Prosecutors claim he orchestrated social media campaigns enlisting family members to post content aimed at garnering sympathy and casting doubt on the allegations against him. One notable instance involved a birthday video shared by his son, which prosecutors argue was intended to influence potential jurors by portraying Combs in a favorable light. These alleged actions have intensified the legal scrutiny surrounding Combs. Prosecutors contend that his alleged attempts to manipulate witnesses and public opinion from behind bars underscore a blatant disregard for the judicial process further complicating his attempts to be granted bail and his defense's work as the trial approaches.

The government's argument is that the only way to control and stop that so that they can have integrity in their case is to keep them incarcerated so that they can legally intercept his communications has no right to privacy all of this phone calls will be intercepted. A federal judge has scheduled Combs' trial to begin on May 5th, 2025. As the legal battle continues,

both the prosecution and defense are preparing for a complex trial that will scrutinize the allegations against Combs and the evidence presented. Given all the videotapes personal accounts and lawsuits will the trial of Diddy be an easy win for the Southern District of New York. I don't think that this case against Sean combs is a slam down for the prosecution. But I do think it's a layup on a 5

foot rim. I think it is a very easy case for them to put together. The strength of the prosecution's case is the multiple individuals who have come forward with similar stories. The victims are the key here. And when those allegations are corroborated by others who say similar things, that's the strength of the prosecution's case. The prosecution has to prove in this case that people were in fact sex trafficked, meaning that people were brought in to perform sexual favors and sexual acts for someone else for Sean Combs' benefit. But for the SDNY, it could be an uphill battle to prove lack of consent without putting victims

on the stand. There are people that have claimed that Diddy put drugs in some of their drinks and that they were coerced into these freak offs and that he filmed them and then used the video footage of these freak offs to intimidate or bribe certain people that were involved in these sessions. The key to proving lacking consent is putting the victim on the stand and saying, I did not agree to this.

This is a high stakes prosecution and the feds are going to cross every T and dot every I. You don't want to lose a case when the entire world is watching. When you had a press conference to make very serious allegations and the target, the defendant is a billionaire loved by millions around the globe with the best lawyers money can buy. And the defense team faces the critical task of challenging the prosecution's case to prevent a conviction. In criminal trials, the prosecution bears the burden of proving the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The defense is not required to prove innocence, but must effectively cast doubt on the prosecution's evidence. Their main argument? The freak-offs were consensual. His attorney has said that he is going to employ the defense, that these were all consenting individuals. Everyone wanted to be there, and everyone was partaking in

all of this. That these freak-offs are between consensual adults and it's not a crime to be a freak or to engage in sexual activity with multiple partners. What makes it illegal is whether the person committed those acts under fraud, force or coercion. The jury will ultimately decide. So, who can we expect to take the stand? I think we'll see people like Cassie and Ronnie Jones who filed these lawsuits. Potential other victims or alleged victims who also filed civil lawsuits could potentially be testifying as well to help corroborate.

I think at the most part, I think Cassie is the star witness because this case seems to be predicated and built on her allegations. And how likely is it that Diddy himself will testify? I think Sean Combs will likely take the stand. It's in his benefit and he has the personality, the persona and the experience speaking to people in order to be successful at doing so. Diddy's team may very well be banking on it as their god shot. He testified in his last trial and he got acquitted. He's a man who knows what it's like to have a jury of 12 New Yorkers look at you and say not guilty. And he's looking forward to that

happening again. But these are the feds we're talking about. The feds have a 97% conviction rate for a reason. They've got lots of resources. They take limited cases, so they're not filing cases. They don't think they can win. If the federal government comes for you in an indictment, you're probably going to go to jail. They really don't mess around. However it all plays out, it's sure to be life changing for many people.

Alleged victims, witnesses, and the accused perpetrator himself, Sean Diddy Combs. Whether or not he actually serves prison time, his imminent trial has shifted attitudes about accountability and misconduct within the entertainment world. I think Sean Combs, the mogul as we know it, is over. He will never be that person again, even if he's found not guilty of these charges. Even at the criminal level, there are certain things that are just unforgivable, and I don't think anyone's going to want

to align themselves with him. But as far as whether people will still listen to his music, I don't think this will be the end of Diddy on our airwaves. We're talking about a person who contributed so much to culture. You know what I'm saying? You're talking about a person who helped provide soundtracks to our lives.

You had to be inspired by Sean Combs in some way, shape, or form. Diddy's been an icon for decades. We've all listened to his music. We've all been around him, at least in my era, and have looked up to him. And in this situation, it's super unfortunate, but it's important to learn a lesson, right? Right now. And ensure the next generation understands how to move differently with transparency and integrity. What's happening to him now is one of the greatest tragedies that we're going to ever read about, bro.

This is going to be one of the greatest tragedies that Shakespeare couldn't write and he brought it on himself. Sean Combs' trial is currently slated for May 2025. Since it's a federal case, there won't be cameras in the courtroom or even audio for that matter. But wherever this story goes, we'll be there. Stay subscribed to be the first to know when we drop new episodes. This has been a law and crime production. I'm your host, Jesse Weber. Our executive producer we drop new episodes. This has been a Law and Crime Production.

I'm your host, Jesse Weber. Our executive producer is Jessica Louther. Our writer and producer is Cooper Moll. Our editor is Anna McClain. Additional writing and guestbooking by Lisa Feit and Julie Wheeler. Legal review and fact checking by Elizabeth Vulli. Key art design by Sean Panzera. And special thanks to our contributors.

Dave Arenberg. Brian Buckmeyer, Mina Lona, Dante Mills, Tracy Walder, Natalie Whittingham Burrell and Bernarda Villalona. Follow Long Crimes The Rise and Fall of Diddy on the Wondery app. You can listen to more episodes on the Wondery app. You can listen to more episodes exclusively and ad free right now on Wondery Plus. Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app, Apple podcasts or Spotify and get ad free access to more thrilling law and crime series like Karen and Sidebar with Jesse Weber. Start your free trial today.