Cassie to Testify Under Her Real Name in Diddy’s Explosive Federal Sex Trafficking Trial

Singer and model Cassie Ventura is set to testify under her real name in the explosive federal trial against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. The trial, scheduled to begin on May 5, 2025, involves a sweeping list of criminal charges including sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and forced labor, accusations that threaten to dismantle the once-celebrated career of the entertainment titan.

While three other alleged victims have requested anonymity due to fears of harassment and retaliation, Ventura, identified in court filings as “Victim-1,” is standing firmly in the public eye, refusing to remain silent or hidden.

A Star Witness Steps Forward

Cassie’s choice to testify publicly marks a pivotal turn in the high-profile case. Prosecutors describe her as a central figure in the indictment, which spans nearly two decades of alleged abuse and criminal activity perpetrated by Combs and his inner circle.

Her courage stands in contrast to the other three accusers in the case, whose identities are being shielded to protect them from what the prosecution describes as credible threats of harassment and intimidation. Nonetheless, prosecutors have revealed those names privately to Combs’ defense team in compliance with legal standards.

Sources close to the case confirm that Cassie’s testimony will cover both personal experiences and key events cited in the indictment, including her presence in a now-infamous hotel surveillance video from 2016, footage that prosecutors claim shows Combs physically assaulting her in a hallway.

The 2016 Video: Evidence Allegedly Destroyed by CNN

One of the most chilling elements of the prosecution’s case is the 2016 hotel surveillance video, which is alleged to show Combs chasing, striking, and dragging Cassie in a fit of rage. The footage surfaced publicly in 2024 when CNN released it in a bombshell report, only to face accusations months later that the network destroyed the original copy under unclear circumstances.

Prosecutors argue that the video is a key piece of evidence proving a pattern of physical abuse and control, echoing the broader allegations of sex trafficking and forced labor. It is expected to be replayed in court as a visual cornerstone of the case, with Ventura on the witness stand to provide context and firsthand testimony.

Federal Charges: A Pattern of Predation?

The federal government’s case against Combs is as sprawling as it is devastating. According to the superseding indictment, the rapper and entrepreneur allegedly ran a sophisticated and violent criminal enterprise that included:

• Sex trafficking of multiple women across state lines
• Transportation of individuals for the purpose of prostitution
• Forced labor and coercion spanning from 2008 to 2024
• Drug-fueled parties known as “freak offs” where victims were allegedly plied with narcotics and coerced into non-consensual sex acts

Cassie’s testimony is expected to tie directly into these allegations, offering personal insights into the mechanisms of fear, manipulation, and abuse that prosecutors say Combs used to dominate women for years.

The 2023 Lawsuit That Sparked It All

Ventura previously filed a bombshell lawsuit in November 2023, accusing Combs of rape, domestic violence, and human trafficking during their long-term relationship. The case sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, though it was settled within 24 hours, a resolution that many viewed as hush money to silence further inquiry.

Instead, the lawsuit lit a fuse. A cascade of additional allegations and lawsuits followed from other alleged victims and witnesses, ultimately leading to the federal probe that now threatens Combs’ freedom and legacy.

Diddy Behind Bars: MDC Brooklyn Awaits Trial

Sean Combs is currently incarcerated at Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he has been held since his arrest in September 2024. The arrest followed a dramatic federal raid on multiple properties linked to Combs, including his Los Angeles home and Miami mansion.

Since then, his empire has crumbled in slow motion. Corporate sponsors have pulled out. Music platforms have distanced themselves. Former collaborators have gone silent. Meanwhile, prosecutors have built a case that paints Combs not as a misunderstood genius, but as the orchestrator of a violent, decades-long web of exploitation.

Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges and continues to deny the allegations through his attorneys. His legal team maintains that his relationships were consensual and has accused the government of conducting a media-driven witch hunt.

The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher

If convicted, Combs could face decades in federal prison, along with the total dismantling of his financial holdings and public persona. The trial is expected to last for several weeks and will feature testimony from at least four alleged victims, as well as former employees, witnesses, and forensic experts.

Cassie’s appearance will almost certainly be the emotional and strategic centerpiece of the prosecution’s argument, a moment that could redefine how abuse, celebrity, and justice intersect in the modern era.

A Reckoning for the Industry?

The case against Sean Combs has reignited conversations about power and accountability in the music industry, long accused of sheltering abusers behind fame, money, and influence. Whether this trial will mark a true turning point remains to be seen, but one thing is clear:

Cassie Ventura is no longer just a singer, model, or ex-girlfriend. She is the face of a high-stakes battle for justice that may finally bring a powerful man to account.

Stay tuned for live updates from the courtroom as the May 5 trial date approaches.