Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’s sex trafficking trial set for may

A judge Thursday set Sean “Diddy” Combs’s racketeering and sex trafficking trial for next May, while also stating that the rap mogul will remain behind bars.

Combs was indicted last month on three criminal counts that allege he sexually abused women and coerced them into drug-fueled sex parties using threats and violence.

Federal Judge Arun Subramanian set May 5 as the start date for the proceedings and noted that the “defendant will remain in custody” since no new requests had been filed by his lawyers after Combs was twice denied bail.

The 54-year-old rapper is simultaneously being sued in civil court by more than 100 people, including 25 minors at the time of the events, who accuse him of sexual assault, according to their lawyers.

As he entered the courtroom, Combs, wearing a light-colored wrinkled shirt and pants, greeted his mother and children who were attending the hearing.

Prosecutor Emily Johnson said there was still more evidence to explore, noting that 96 electronic devices had been seized in March and that more charges were possible.

Allegations have been building against the Grammy Award-winner since last year, when singer Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, alleged Combs subjected her to more than a decade of coercion by physical force and drugs as well as a 2018 rape.

A spate of similarly lurid lawsuits since have painted a picture of Combs as a violent man who used his celebrity status to prey on women.

Combs has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges. He has been jailed awaiting trial.