Jurors in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal trafficking and racketeering trial were shown graphic evidence on Tuesday from a March 2024 raid of the music mogul's Miami Beach mansion, revealing a trove of weapons, drugs, and sex paraphernalia. Prosecutors submitted more than 500 photos taken during Homeland Security's coordinated raid, offering what they say is a window into the alleged criminal enterprise Combs ran for over a decade.
Homeland Security Special Agent Gerard Gannon testified that the search of Combs' Star Island estate uncovered AR-15 rifle parts, a .45-caliber handgun, ammunition, and numerous sex-related items including dildos, vibrators, bondage ropes, handcuffs, and flavored oral sex candy. "These are the red heels," Gannon told jurors, pointing to photos of stiletto shoes in Combs' master closet alongside lingerie and BDSM gear.
gun found in Combs’ house.
Bottles of baby oil and lube were seen in containers.
Prosecutors presented jurors with images of 25 bottles of baby oil, 30 bottles of Astroglide, and containers of food-grade nitrous oxide, known as "Whip-Its." A Gucci bag recovered from the residence contained a powdery substance later identified as cocaine and ketamine, along with pink and orange MDMA tablets - some stamped with the Tesla logo. The government showed jurors the designer bag in court and said it also included capsules labeled as "Golden Teacher" magic mushrooms.
Several drugs were found inside the Miami mansion.
Three mobile phones were discovered hidden in tall black Balenciaga boots. Agents also found packets of Vital Honey VIP, a Malaysian supplement for erectile dysfunction. In total, the government filled two large evidence bags with lubricants alone, with Gannon noting that the collection from the home exceeded what was brought to court.
Lingerie and high heels filled the property.
Combs, 55, sat in the courtroom with his head in his hands as photos of his residence were displayed. On his bathroom mirror, scrawled messages read: "You a legend," "You're an icon Puff Daddy," and "What Do You WANT?"
Diddy's bathroom mirror had phrases like "You a legend," "You're an icon Puff Daddy" and "Upward Motion" written on it in the marble-tiled room.
The same day, prosecutors called forensic psychologist Dawn Hughes, previously a witness for Amber Heard, to testify about the psychological patterns of individuals trapped in abusive relationships. Hughes' testimony focused on the experiences of alleged victim Cassie Ventura. Combs' attorney Jonathan Bach attempted to undercut Hughes' credibility by highlighting her frequent role in prosecutions, prompting repeated sidebars with Judge Arun Subramanian.
Subramanian, attempting levity, joked with jurors about replacing the loud white noise that masks sidebar discussions with elevator music: "We're going to get some Muzak put in for some white noise next time," he said.
Following Hughes' testimony, former Combs assistant George Kaplan took the stand. Kaplan worked as an executive assistant from 2013 to 2015, during which he claimed Combs made "monthly threats" to fire him and expected him to be on call for 80 to 100 hours per week. He described being berated over buying two half gallons of water instead of one gallon as requested.
Kaplan testified that he frequently booked hotel rooms under the alias "Frank Black," a nod to Biggie Smalls' alternate name Frank White. The bookings, he said, were for hotel stays at the Bel-Air Hotel, Trump International, Mr. C Hotel, and the InterContinental, including the location where Combs was caught on surveillance beating then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in 2016.
He said he packed Combs' bags with candles, clothing, liquor, baby oil, and lube, and was instructed to tidy up the rooms after the visits. Kaplan had planned to plead the Fifth Amendment before receiving prosecutorial immunity.
Combs is accused of overseeing a sprawling criminal network that involved drugging women and forcing them to perform sexual acts, which were allegedly recorded for his gratification. He has pleaded not guilty. Rapper Kid Cudi is expected to testify following Kaplan's testimony.
