Federal prosecutors have officially escalated the legal troubles of Sean “Diddy” Combs by filing two additional charges against him, significantly expanding the scope of allegations that the iconic hip-hop mogul has been involved in sex trafficking activities that may have continued as recently as last year.

A superseding indictment submitted on April 4, reveals serious accusations against Combs, asserting that he allegedly utilized force, fraud, or coercion to compel a woman, referred to in the court documents as Victim 2, to engage in commercial sex acts over a period stretching from at least 2021 to 2024. The indictment was returned by a federal grand jury operating out of Manhattan, an area known for its stringent legal scrutiny.

In addition to these new charges, the indictment claims that Combs was implicated in the transportation of this unnamed woman, as well as other individuals, including commercial sex workers, for purposes of prostitution during the same timeframe. These latest allegations bring the total number of charges against the 55-year-old music mogul from three to five, intensifying the pressure on him as he prepares for trial.

Combs is set to stand trial on May 5 and remains incarcerated at a federal jail located in Brooklyn. As of now, his representatives have yet to provide any comments on the newly levied charges, signaling a potential strategy of silence as the legal saga unfolds.

Despite the weight of the allegations, Combs has vehemently denied any involvement in criminal activities and has pleaded not guilty to the initial set of charges. These earlier allegations claim that he coerced and abused women for numerous years, with assistance from a network of associates and employees, reportedly using tactics of blackmail and violence to silence victims. These tactics allegedly included forms of intimidation such as kidnapping, arson, and physical assaults.

The arraignment date for the new charges has not yet been scheduled, leaving the timeline murky as both the prosecution and defense prepare for the upcoming trial. Federal prosecutors have specifically pointed to Combs’ stature as a music star, suggesting that he leveraged his “power and prestige” to lure female victims into elaborate and drug-fueled sexual performances alongside male sex workers, events that insiders have dubbed “Freak Offs”.

One pivotal piece of evidence being highlighted in this case is a video recorded in March 2016, which reportedly shows Combs assaulting his then-girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie, in a hotel hallway in Los Angeles. Prosecutors assert that this violent encounter occurred during one of the aforementioned “Freak Offs.” In defense, Combs' legal team has argued that the footage is merely a “glimpse into a complex but decade-long consensual relationship” between Combs and Cassie.

Combs’ attorneys are adamant that the case lacks merit and are actively seeking to dismiss a specific charge related to allegations that he transported a male escort across state lines. His lawyer, Alexandra A E Shapiro, emphasized in a February court filing that the prosecution has fabricated a criminal case primarily based on claims that Mr. Combs and two of his long-term girlfriends sometimes included a male escort in their intimate relations.

Shapiro boldly argued, “Each of the three charges in the case are premised on the theory that this type of sexual activity is a federal crime,” outlining the defense's position that the government’s pursuit of these allegations is misguided.

This recent superseding indictment marks the second major legal document filed against Combs in connection with this case, following an initial indictment in January of the same year. In that earlier indictment, federal prosecutors revealed that their investigation involved at least three women whom they accused Combs of forcing into commercial sex acts. In return, Combs allegedly provided these women with money, career opportunities, as well as the covering of their rent and housing expenses, painting a picture of manipulation cloaked in the guise of generosity.