On June 13, 2025, the 23rd day of the high-profile sex-trafficking and racketeering trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs in Manhattan’s Southern District of New York federal courthouse delivered a mix of celebrity spectacle and gripping testimony.
The morning began with an unexpected jolt when Kanye West, now known as Ye, arrived at the courthouse alongside Combs’ son, Christian “King” Combs, and music producer Charlucci Finney. Dressed in a striking all-white jacket and pants, Ye’s 40-minute appearance in the overflow room, where he watched the trial on a monitor, sparked a flurry of activity.
Security tightened, and marshals reminded attendees that phones were prohibited, preventing any photos. “Kanye West has just arrived in SDNY courthouse,” reported Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press, noting the chaos as Ye’s presence briefly “broke the threads” of online updates due to overwhelming public interest.
Inside the courtroom, the focus shifted to two key witnesses whose testimony painted a vivid picture of Combs’ alleged criminal enterprise. Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Andre LaMon took the stand first, detailing a March 2024 raid on Combs’ Los Angeles residence at 200 South Mapleton. LaMon described finding an arsenal of firearms in a locked security office, including a Ruger rifle, a Glock pistol, a Smith & Wesson rifle, and AR-15-style rifles, one with a defaced serial number.
“One did not [have a serial number], this one,”
LaMon said, holding up a long gun and explaining,
“It’s sanded off with a machine. It’s smooth. Not like it was done with a screwdriver.”
The raid also uncovered a drum magazine with 59 rounds of green-tip ammunition, designed to pierce body armor, and other 30-round magazines. Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo challenged the relevance of the firearms, asking,
“Every gun and piece of ammo was recovered from the security office, right?”
LaMon confirmed,
“Yes,”
and added,
“There were no guns in kids’ bedrooms.”
LaMon’s testimony also highlighted an unusual discovery: 900 bottles of Astroglide lubricant and 200 bottles of Johnson & Johnson baby oil scattered across the residence, including in the garage, bathroom, and a bookcase.
“Overall, how many bottles of Astroglide in 200 South Mapleton?”
The prosecutor asked. LaMon replied,
“900.”
When Agnifilo inquired,
“In your human trafficking work, have you ever dealt with Astroglide before?”
LaMon responded,
“Only in this case.”
Agnifilo pressed further, asking,
“So the baby oil was in the garage?”
LaMon corrected,
“It was the Astroglide in the garage.”
The defense argued the lubricants’ presence was not necessarily incriminating, but prosecutors tied them to alleged “freak-off” events, described as prolonged, drug-fueled sexual encounters central to the case.
A safe in a closet yielded more evidence: a passport belonging to Combs and a plastic bag containing brown pebbles, later identified as MDMA (ecstasy) per a stipulation. Six envelopes marked “K,” containing ketamine, were also found, reinforcing allegations that drugs played a role in the illicit activities. Agnifilo questioned the lack of photographs documenting the safe’s opening, asking,
“Why not photo of opening it?”
LaMon explained that the Strategic Response Team (SRT) entered first, and he did not use a body camera, as it was not standard protocol.
The day’s second witness, Jonathan Perez, Combs’ former personal assistant from December 2021 to September 2024, provided a chilling insider perspective. Testifying under immunity after invoking his Fifth Amendment rights, Perez described his role, which began after an interview with Combs’ chief of staff, Kristina Khorram.
“Where are you from?”
The prosecutor asked.
“Fort Lauderdale, Florida,”
Perez replied.
“What was your work?”
The Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) continued.
“Personal assistant to Mr. C, Sean Combs,”
Perez answered, noting he worked in both Los Angeles and Miami.
Perez’s testimony turned heads when he recounted discovering a video on an iPad showing a woman referred to as “Jane,” Combs’ ex-girlfriend, engaging in sexual activity with another man while Combs watched.
“I took it to Mr. Combs, who deleted it,”
Perez said. Later, Khorram interrogated him about the video, asking,
“Who else had seen the video? Was he the source?”
This stemmed from apparent blackmail attempts, as someone outside Combs’ circle had referenced the footage. A recorded conversation between Perez and Khorram, seized from her phone in 2024, was played for the jury, highlighting the paranoia within Combs’ team. The prosecution suggested this incident reflected a pattern of control and intimidation, recalling earlier testimony about an employee subjected to a lie detector test in an empty Broadway office.
Perez detailed his duties, which included arranging “king nights” – hotel stays for Combs and a female guest.
“I’d set up rooms with red lights, music, condoms, lubricants, and honey,”
He said, ensuring 12 to 24 hours of privacy. Post-event, Perez cleaned up scattered sheets, towels, and oils and arranged recovery items like meals or IV drips. His testimony underscored the organized nature of the alleged “freak-offs,” aligning with the prosecution’s narrative of a racketeering enterprise.
Courtroom dynamics added to the day’s intensity. Judge Arun Subramanian addressed Combs’ behavior, noting he was “nodding during cross.” The AUSA raised concerns, saying,
“My colleagues tell me Mr. Combs has been nodding during cross. Please instruct him.”
Agnifilo responded,
“OK,”
With a chuckle, prompting the judge to say,
“No comments, please.”
While Subramanian had previously warned Combs about influencing the jury, he allowed the nodding, stating it was
“impossible to police every reaction.”
Ye’s appearance, though brief, fueled speculation about his support for Combs, especially given his history of defending the mogul online. Some whispered he might return on Monday, but his motives remained unclear. Now in its fifth week, the trial continues to captivate with its blend of celebrity drama and serious allegations. Prosecutors are expected to call additional witnesses to bolster their case, while the defense seeks to downplay the evidence as circumstantial or unrelated to the charges.