After months of news and speculation, the federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs has finally begun in New York. The famous hip-hop mogul faces five charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

Prosecutors alleged in their opening statement that Combs led a criminal enterprise that forced women, particularly his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, into sex with male escorts. They also accused him of recording these sex acts for blackmail. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson went on to describe other events called “Freak Offs,” where women were purportedly drugged and coerced into sex.

Combs's defense lawyer, Teny Gerags, countered that although Combs admits to physically assaulting Ventura (a video of which has been widely circulated in the media), it constitutes domestic violence, not sex trafficking. He emphasized that Combs takes full responsibility for his behavior and notes that Ventura chose to stay with Combs for 11 years and left him on her own terms.

The trial is expected to last as long as two months.

Anyone facing sex crime allegations, no matter how minor or false, must take them very seriously. Contact the attorneys of LLF Law Firm today. LLF's Criminal Law Team has extensive experience in defending individuals accused of sex crimes. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online to discuss your case.

Pennsylvania Sex Crime Defenses

Combs will likely use multiple common defenses to counter these charges, some perhaps similar to defenses available in Pennsylvania. Persons facing sex crimes allegations in Pennsylvania usually avail themselves of the following three common defenses:

• Consent. A defendant may be able to have sex crime charges dismissed or receive a not guilty verdict if they can prove that the sexual acts in question were consensual and legal. Consent must be clearly established, as the absence of consent is what makes a sexual act criminal. An experienced attorney is critical to helping the defendant identify evidence showing that the act was consensual and skillfully challenging the prosecution's narrative that it was not.
• Innocence. If the accused is objectively innocent, it can lead to a dismissal of charges or a not-guilty verdict as long as solid evidence has been presented. Objective innocence can be demonstrated through DNA evidence that excludes the accused, a strong alibi supported by surveillance footage, receipts, or witnesses, or proof of mistaken identity or a false accusation. These defenses must be presented carefully, as the prosecution will likely challenge them.
• Insufficient Evidence.The prosecution has the burden to prove each element of a sex crime offense beyond a reasonable doubt. If a prosecutor can't prove one of the elements, a defendant cannot be convicted. The LLF Law Firm's skilled Criminal Law Team can analyze the evidence and argue in your favor when the evidence is insufficient to prove one or more of the elements.

The LLF Law Firm is Ready to Stand Up for You

If you've been accused of a sex crime, every minute counts to prepare your defense. Contact the Criminal Law Team of the LLF Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or through our online form. Let us help you craft a strong, personalized defense for your sexual offense case.