Witness: Gerard Gannon

Gerard Gannon’s Testimony in Sean 'Diddy' Combs’ Sex Trafficking and Racketeering Trial: Days 7 and 8 Highlights On May 20 and 21, 2025, during Days 7 and 8 of Sean 'Diddy' Combs’ federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial in Manhattan, Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Gerard Gannon testified at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse in New York. Gannon, who led the March 2024 raid on Combs’ Miami Beach mansion, provided detailed evidence of the items seized, aiming to support the prosecution’s claim that Combs operated a criminal enterprise involving sex trafficking and coercion. His testimony, which began on May 20 and continued into May 21, offered a glimpse into the materials allegedly tied to Combs’ illicit activities, including the drug-fueled 'freak-offs' central to the case. Background and Role in the Trial Gerard Gannon, a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), was the lead investigator for the raid on Combs’ Star Island mansion in Miami on March 25, 2024. The raid was part of a broader investigation into allegations that Combs ran a racketeering enterprise that facilitated sex trafficking, forced labor, and other crimes dating back to at least 2004. Gannon’s role was to present physical evidence recovered during the raid, which prosecutors argue corroborates the testimony of key witnesses like Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura, who described being coerced into prolonged sexual encounters known as 'freak-offs.' Gannon’s testimony began on May 20, following Ventura’s earlier account, and continued into May 21, preceding the testimony of forensic psychologist Dawn Hughes and Combs’ former assistant George Kaplan. The prosecution, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey, used Gannon’s findings to illustrate the operational side of Combs’ alleged enterprise, focusing on the materials that supported the 'freak-off' narrative. Key Points of Gerard Gannon’s Testimony 1. Raid Execution and Entry Gannon began his testimony on May 20 by detailing the logistics of the March 2024 raid on Combs’ Miami Beach mansion, a 20,000-square-foot property in the exclusive Star Island neighborhood, known for its celebrity residents like Gloria Estefan and Shaquille O’Neal. He testified that HSI agents used a vehicle to break through the front gate, describing this as the 'quickest and safest option' to execute the search warrant. This ensured rapid entry to secure the premises, given the high-profile target and potential for evidence tampering. Gannon noted that six individuals were present, including a property manager, a music producer, and facilities employees. These individuals were handcuffed until identified and searched, with one uncooperative person kept cuffed longer. No weapons or paraphernalia were found on them. The raid was one of two that day—the other targeting Combs’ Los Angeles property—but Gannon focused on the Miami search. 2. Discovery of Firearms and Ammunition On May 20, Gannon testified about firearms and ammunition found in Combs’ Miami home, which prosecutors tied to allegations of coercion. In the master bedroom closet, agents found disassembled AR-15 rifle parts, including upper and lower receivers, and accessories like red-dot optic plates for enhanced shooting accuracy. Gannon held up an evidence bag containing the AR-15 upper receivers, noting zip ties secured them to prevent firing. Some gun parts had defaced serial numbers, a practice Gannon said is often used to prevent tracing, suggesting an intent to conceal their origins. Agents also found two magazines with bullets—one with 19 rounds, another with 10—alongside the AR-15 components. Continuing on May 21, Gannon testified about a loaded .45 caliber handgun found in a red suitcase in the guest house’s 'guard shack' area. He held up an evidence bag with the bullets, confirming the firearm was loaded. While possessing firearms isn’t illegal, the prosecution argued these weapons supported claims of intimidation, a key element of the charges. The defaced serial numbers added suspicion of criminal intent. 3. Drugs and Related Items Gannon’s testimony on May 20 included drugs found in Combs’ mansion, linked to the alleged 'freak-offs' where victims were reportedly drugged. In the master bedroom closet, agents found a black Gucci bag with pills, white powder, a 'crystal rock-like substance,' a plastic straw, and a $100 bill. Gannon identified these as Xanax, cocaine, ketamine, MDMA (ecstasy), and psilocybin (a hallucinogen). On May 21, he testified about a wooden box in the master bathroom, labeled 'Puffy'—a Combs nickname—containing more MDMA and psilocybin capsules. These drugs aligned with Ventura’s testimony about being given substances like ketamine and ecstasy during 'freak-offs,' often to incapacitation. Gannon also noted three cell phones hidden inside Balenciaga boots in the master bedroom, suggesting an attempt to conceal communications relevant to the alleged enterprise. The drugs and hidden devices reinforced the prosecution’s narrative of a calculated operation involving drug use to facilitate coercive sexual activities. 4. Sex-Related Supplies and 'Freak-Off' Evidence On May 20, Gannon testified about items tied to the 'freak-offs.' In a hallway closet near the master bedroom, agents found platform high heels, sex toys, and lingerie alongside the AR-15 components. On May 21, he detailed a bin in the same closet containing 25 bottles of baby oil, 31 bottles of Astroglide lubricant, and a rubber duck. Photos shown to the jury depicted these items on shelves, illustrating the environment of the alleged 'freak-offs.' Ventura had testified that Combs required baby oil during these encounters to keep her skin 'glistening,' and the quantity—56 bottles total—suggested preparation for frequent, large-scale events. While not illegal, these items, alongside drugs and weapons, supported the prosecution’s coercion narrative. 5. Cross-Examination by the Defense The defense cross-examined Gannon on both days. On May 20, attorney Teny Geragos questioned the AR-15 rifles, getting Gannon to confirm they were dismantled, not loaded, and thus inoperable, potentially weakening the prosecution’s intimidation claim. On May 21, Geragos continued, asking if the .45 handgun was wrapped in a towel (Gannon confirmed it was), and whether Combs’ fingerprints or DNA were found on it (Gannon didn’t know). Geragos also noted that guns without serial numbers could be traced via fingerprints or DNA, and suggested agents might have arranged items for photos to appear more nefarious. The defense aimed to frame the items as personal possessions not tied to criminal behavior, though the combination of drugs, weapons, and sex-related supplies in one location supported the prosecution’s allegations. Legal and Trial Context Gannon’s testimony followed Ventura’s account of the 'freak-offs' and preceded Dawn Hughes’ psychological context for victims’ behavior and George Kaplan’s description of facilitating Combs’ lifestyle. The prosecution used Gannon’s findings to show the material reality of the alleged enterprise, highlighting drugs, weapons, and sex-related items as part of a systematic operation. The defense, led by attorneys like Geragos and Marc Agnifilo, argued these items reflected Combs’ consensual lifestyle, not a criminal enterprise. Implications and Next Steps Gannon’s testimony across May 20 and 21 strengthened the prosecution’s case by providing tangible evidence of the environment in which the alleged 'freak-offs' occurred, supporting claims of coercion through drugs and intimidation via weapons. However, the defense’s cross-examination highlighted the lack of direct evidence tying these items to specific criminal acts, leaving room for jurors to question their significance. As the trial progresses, upcoming testimony from witnesses like Scott 'Kid Cudi' Mescudi and a male hotel employee will likely further explore the allegations of jealousy, control, and coercion central to the case.

Compiled from news sources and summarized by Grok.

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