Josh Mankiewicz

As the lawsuits piled up in civil court, right now more than 50, federal prosecutors and the FBI built a criminal case. By last September, they were ready. That's Sean Combs entering a New York hotel. The two men in light-colored shirts who approach him are not his friends. They are federal agents taking him into custody.

As the lawsuits piled up in civil court, right now more than 50, federal prosecutors and the FBI built a criminal case. By last September, they were ready. That's Sean Combs entering a New York hotel. The two men in light-colored shirts who approach him are not his friends. They are federal agents taking him into custody.

September 17th, 2024, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York laid out the charges against Sean Combs.

September 17th, 2024, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York laid out the charges against Sean Combs.

Sean Combs was now facing the sort of charges normally associated with mob bosses and human trafficking rings. From the use of drugs, to recordings, to the descriptions of the freak-off parties, many of the details of the indictment echo Cassie Ventura's civil suit.

Sean Combs was now facing the sort of charges normally associated with mob bosses and human trafficking rings. From the use of drugs, to recordings, to the descriptions of the freak-off parties, many of the details of the indictment echo Cassie Ventura's civil suit.

Combs faces two counts of sex trafficking, two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, and one count of racketeering conspiracy.

Combs faces two counts of sex trafficking, two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, and one count of racketeering conspiracy.

Paul Butler is a former federal prosecutor turned law professor and MSNBC legal analyst.

Paul Butler is a former federal prosecutor turned law professor and MSNBC legal analyst.

Sex trafficking sort of makes you think of international rings. Is that what's going on here?

Sex trafficking sort of makes you think of international rings. Is that what's going on here?

Combs offered up collateral for bail. Prosecutors argued that to protect their case... Combs needed to stay behind bars.

Combs offered up collateral for bail. Prosecutors argued that to protect their case... Combs needed to stay behind bars.

On the first day of jury selection, a now gray-haired Sean Combs told the judge he was nervous. It's expected the jurors will see some of the recorded sex acts as evidence. It's also expected Combs' defense will say none of that is a crime because Combs is a swinger, not a sex criminal. And presumably part of the defense is going to be, yeah, this looks...

On the first day of jury selection, a now gray-haired Sean Combs told the judge he was nervous. It's expected the jurors will see some of the recorded sex acts as evidence. It's also expected Combs' defense will say none of that is a crime because Combs is a swinger, not a sex criminal. And presumably part of the defense is going to be, yeah, this looks...

creepy, weird, and outside the bounds of normal behavior to some people, maybe, but not to everyone. And all of it was consensual.

creepy, weird, and outside the bounds of normal behavior to some people, maybe, but not to everyone. And all of it was consensual.

The indictment lists four victims anonymously. During jury selection, the government told the court they were having trouble reaching one of their alleged victims. Cassie Ventura, however, is still expected to testify.

The indictment lists four victims anonymously. During jury selection, the government told the court they were having trouble reaching one of their alleged victims. Cassie Ventura, however, is still expected to testify.