This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing. Afederal agent. A former aide and a psychologist. Alongtime rap rival. Those witnesses are taking the stand inSean "Diddy" Combs'sweeping federal sex-crimes trial this week. Gerard Gannon, a Homeland Security special agent, was up first on May 21, and he described the massiveraid on Combs' Miami mansionlast year where agents found illegal drugs, weapons and more. Psychologist Dawn Hughestook the stand next, explaining the complexities of physical, sexual and psychological abuse, factors at the center of the allegations against Combs. Scott Mescudi, better known as rapperKid Cudi, isexpected to take the standin the coming days. Diddyallegedly threatenedthe musician after he and Combs' former girlfriendCassie Ventura Finedated briefly over a decade ago. Combs'alleged abuse of Ventura Finehas taken center stage in the embattled hip-hop mogul's trial. Regina Ventura, Cassie's mother, told the court on May 20 she was "physically sick" over the rapper's alleged abuse, and she was once pressured to send him $20,000 after he raged at her daughter. Combs, 55, wasarrested in September 2024and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty. Hughestook the stand on May 21, called by prosecutors to explain the complexities ofphysical, sexual and emotional abusein the sex-crimes trial. Hughes and told jurors it's "very common" for victims tostay in abusive relationships. Hughes explained that people need "tangible resources to leave" unhealthy relationships, and she discussed the concept of"love bombing,"noting that an abuser often showers their victim with love and gifts to get them back if they are trying to leave. "These relationships start with love," Hughes said of abusive ties, describing the "honeymoon phase" after an assault episode, which includes showering the victim with love and care, which is all the victim wanted. A victim may feel their abuser is the only person they can speak to about the abuse, she said. Hughes also testified on"trauma bonds,"where a victim can be attached to an abusive partner and will try to chase nice moments with them "in spite of the violence and abuse." When the prosecution asked why victimsmay reconcilewith an abusive partner, Hughes said "they return for the companionship" and for "the good version of the partner they do love." Hughes also explained different kinds ofself defense and coping mechanismsthat victims of abuse may use to try to protect themselves. She said victims are more likely to disclose rape by a stranger than a partner, and they will usually disclose to a mother, sister or close friend first. Hughes also discussed theimpact of traumaon memory and how victims' brains will often assign significance to sensory details, whether it's the smell of alcohol on their abuser's breath or chipped paint they notice on a ceiling. Victims might also remember the core gist of what happened to them, she said, but still feel theirmemories are fragmented. After long stretches of violence or other mistreatment, "events are going to blend together," she said, given "the routine of all this abuse happening." The victim may have interrupted memory or not remember peripheral details, she added, saying that because of the narrowing of attention that happensduring a traumatic experience, not everything enters the brain. However, this does not suggest their memories are not reliable. Victims of abuseusing substances while facing violenceis one common coping mechanism, Hughes told the court. Her testimony comes after Cassie told jurors last week that shefrequently used drugsto to get through "freak offs," the alleged sexual performances Combs organized for years. "Substances allow us to numb our pain," Hughes said, explaining that alcohol or drugs can be used to get rid of fear and other anxieties. "They are very attuned to their partner's mood," Hughes said of victims, and that substances can be taken in anticipation of a partner's changing moods. "Many victims will wait months, even years," to disclose abuse, she said, explaining they may have a "fear of not being believed." That fear may be connected to losing friends or economic security, and can be worse if their abuser has a lot of wealth and privilege, Hughes explained. More:What kind of a physical toll does an emotionally abusive relationship take on someone? Hughes explained she's testifying as a "blind expert," meaning she hasn't interviewed Combs or any of the witnesses in the case. For her work in this case generally, she said she's getting $600 an hour, and for her court testimony, she's earning $6,000 a day. Hughes continued to discuss why victims feel like they muststay in abusive relationships. She defined domestic violence as a pattern or behavior that functions to instill fear and exert control. Abuse isn't just about hitting, it's aboutemotional abuse,economic abuseand surveillance, she testified, all contributing to making a victim feel trapped. Love is also used, Hughes said, noting anintense psychological bondmakes it hard for a victim to see their way out. She testified that the consequences of abuse include psychological disorders that make it difficult for individuals to plan an escape. On a smaller level, victims are trying to avoid being hit or hurt, engaging in "microplanning" that gets into the way of higher-order planning,like trying to leave. Victims are "sort of always walking on eggshells" and don't know what's coming next, Hughes testified. "Fear is also a very debilitating emotion." More:Cassie's harrowing testimony, the myth of 'mutual abuse' and what domestic violence really looks like During Hughes' cross-examination,Combs' defense lawyersclarified to her that she was not "providing opinion" on the rapper's specific case – nor was she there to provide commentary on any "particular witnesses." Combs' legal team underlined the fact that this is "general subject matter testimony." The defense also said that Hughes has been hired by several different prosecutors for many years to give this kind of testimony, "even though none of them involve the same people" or "the same evidence." The jury was asked to retire to the jury room as the defense sought to introduce a piece of evidence: A document from a training session where Hughes advisedfemale abuse survivorson how they might prepare to go to court, covering topics such as their personal appearance, demeanor, court etiquette and knowing their audience. The defense wanted to introduce the document as they argued Hughes has made "a cottage industry" out ofbeing a professional witness. But the judge said he did not see a basis to admit the document as evidence, concluding it "doesn't say anything about anything." When court resumed, Hughes said the training session was for battered women advocates "that don't have the resources I have" and was to teach them "skills and strategies" about how to present in court. During Gannon's testimony, jurors were shown photos from the2024 raid on Combs' mansion in Miami Beach, Florida. Federal investigators found three cell phones hidden inside of a pair of boots from the designer brand Balenciaga. A black Gucci bag was allegedlyfilled with drugsincluding Xanax, cocaine, ketamine and MDMA. In the master bathroom of the home, agents said they found a wooden box with a gold plate on top that said "Puffy" – one of Combs' nicknames – which contained MDMA and Psilocybin, a hallucinogenic. In the mansion's guest house security room, a loaded .45 caliber handgun was found inside a red suitcase. Drawers in a hallway closet contained 25 bottles of baby oil and 31 bottles ofAstroglide lubricant. Prosecutors have alleged that Combs used the substances in his drug-fueled "freak offs" at the center of his sex-crimes charges. Before Gannon took the stand, lawyers on either side sparred over showing a photo of Combs' late partner,Kim Porter, as evidence. Prosecutors argued against it, saying the "relevance is extremely low" and expressing fear at the photo "tugging at the jurors' heartstrings." Prosecutors also worried that it would confuse jurors, and imply that if Combs was convicted, his children would be without a parent. Combs and Portershare four children. Gannon told the court that on March 24, 2024, he was part of a team thatsearched of Combs' Miami mansion. Nearly 90 agents were involved in the search, which happened while Combs and his familywere not in the home. Gannon said law enforcement found the upper receivers ofAR-15 weapons, as well as gun magazines. Agents also found sex toys, lubricant and baby oil in the home, all parts of thealleged freak offsCombs conducted for years, as well as illegal drugs. Just Arun Subramanian, the judge hearing Combs' federal sex-crimes trial, appeared to reject a request from the rapper's lawyers tosubpoena Ventura Fine. It wasn't immediately clear why Combs' team made the request, which the judge turned down May 20, but his lawyers have repeatedly tried to target her claims of his physical, sexual and emotional abuse in their relationship. Diddy on trial newsletter:Step inside the courtroom as music mogul faces sex-crimes charges. While on the stand May 20, Ventura was quickly asked by prosecutors about an email her daughter mentioned in previous testimony. In the message, sent on Dec. 23, 2011, Ventura Fine confessed to her mother that Combs wasthreatening to release a sex tapeof her on Christmas Day. Around the same time, Ventura Fine told her mother about thealleged physical abuseshe was facing from Combs. Ventura said she was told she needed to wire $20,000 to Combs because he was "angry that he spent money on her (Cassie) and that she had been with another person." Although she wired the funds to Combs' company, the woman said the money came back four to five days later. During Ventura's May 20 testimony, prosecutors showed jurors photos of bruises on Cassie's body fromChristmas Eve in 2011. "She was bruised, and I wanted to make sure we memorialized it," Ventura said of taking the photos. When asked by prosecutors how her daughter got the bruises, Ventura alleged, "She wasbeaten by Sean Combs." Sharay Hayes, a 51-year-oldformer exotic dancerwho went by the nickname "The Punisher," took the stand after Cassie's mother. Hayes said he washired to have sex with Ventura Finein New York every few months, sometimes for multiple days at a time. Combs would often give directions, he said, and Ventura Fine was once visibly startled after Combs dropped a stack of money onto the bed during an encounter. After thetwo allegedly had sex, Combs would then go to another room, and Ventura Fine would follow, Hayes said. When she returned in a bathrobe, Hayes said it "gave me a clear indication that we were done." Combs would direct them to have oral or penetrative sex, mostly interacting withVentura Fine, Hayes told jurors. Asked whether he thought she was enjoying herself, Hayes said he wasn't sure, but he did note that Cassie would often wince or sigh at Combs' directions. There "appeared to be frustrationwith the frequency of directions," he explained. He said he "did not" ever hear Ventura Fine say no to a direction from Combs, and that while he did not use illegaldrugs or alcohol,he was offered the substances. He said neither Combs nor Ventura Fine appeared to be intoxicated. "It created some discomfort that could affect me and my performance," Hayes said about Combs' directions, saying he took Cialis, Viagra or similar medication. "It was a lot of pressure," Hayes said about getting and maintaining an erection. Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling lawsuit that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry. He wasarrested in September 2024and has been charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He haspleaded not guiltyto all five counts. Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity. Using RICO law, which is typically aimed attargeting multi-person criminal organizations,prosecutors allegethat Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in "freak offs" — sometimes dayslong sex performances that federal prosecutors claim they have video of. The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings. USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom. Contributing: USA TODAY staff If you are a survivor of sexual assault,RAINNoffers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) andHotline.RAINN.organd en EspañolRAINN.org/es. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Diddy trial live updates: Psychologist testifies; George Kaplan speaks
