The highly anticipated legal proceedings against music mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs commenced this past Monday (May 12), following his September arrest at a New York hotel.
The 55-year-old entertainment executive faces serious allegations including racketeering and sex trafficking through coercion, force or deception, among other charges—all of which he has vigorously denied.
During last week’s court session, testimony from his former romantic partner, Cassandra ‘Cassie’ Ventura, painted a disturbing picture of their relationship that spanned over ten years.
Ventura testified that Combs compelled her to engage in what were termed “freak-off” intimate encounters, allegedly involving her having relations with male escorts while he observed. She also described numerous incidents of physical abuse.
Her testimony additionally detailed Combs’ alleged substance use habits, including a purported overdose incident at the Playboy Mansion in 2012. According to Ventura, he regularly consumed ecstasy or MDMA, and she observed him using opiates on a daily basis.
Recently released photographs of Combs’ hotel accommodations on the night authorities took him into custody suggest preparation for what prosecutors describe as a drug-influenced “freak-off” encounter, according to their claims.
The evidentiary images, captured by law enforcement at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, were presented to the jury panel during proceedings.
Items documented in these photographs included containers of baby oil, substances suspected to be narcotics, and ambient lighting designed to create atmosphere, according to reports from multiple news outlets.
Additional items discovered included prescription bottles containing clonazepam (medication for anxiety and seizure disorders), two small packages of pink powder—one testing positive for ketamine and another containing a combination of MDMA and ketamine—plus approximately $9,000 in currency.
These revealing photographs emerge as Ventura described Combs’ particular methodology for arranging a “freak-off” environment, which reportedly featured aromatic candles combined with “oil and various scented elements.”
She further alleged that Combs would request she warm the baby oil prior to these encounters.
Legal representatives for the father of seven have maintained that these “freak-off” sessions were consensual interactions and have rejected all allegations of impropriety.
Yasmin Binda, a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations’ human trafficking division who participated in the search of Combs’ hotel accommodations, provided testimony about incriminating evidence recovered from the room, ranging from baby oil to packages of Astroglide lubricant found in a closet.
Binda testified: “This is one plastic bag containing Johnson’s baby oil and another plastic bag filled with Astroglide that was located in the hallway storage closet.”
Prosecutors noted that Combs had been in the state for 11 days before his apprehension, suggesting he was “potentially” anticipating arrest while preparing for a final “freak-off” beforehand.
The jury also viewed security footage showing Combs physically assaulting Ventura inside a Los Angeles hotel establishment in 2016, which the 38-year-old claimed occurred after she attempted to “escape” from a freak-off situation.
Photographic evidence of Ventura’s alleged injuries, including facial bruising and lip contusions, was also presented to the jury.
The proceedings are ongoing.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please remember you are not alone. Confidential support is available 24 hours daily through the national domestic violence helpline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233). A directory of local resources can be found online.
If you seek compassionate, confidential guidance regarding substance use concerns, American Addiction Centers can be reached at (313) 209-9137 around the clock, or through their website.