Crime & Arrests

Jury selection just kicked off in Diddy's federal trial, and it’s a total madhouse -- with some people getting paid just to stand in line for others to snag spots inside the courthouse.

We caught the chaos at the federal courthouse in Manhattan on Monday -- some folks told us they had been in line since the night before, saving spots for people who paid them to do the heavy lifting.

One line-holder told us he was getting $32 per hour to hold a place in line, though he admitted the going rate is more like $25 per hour. Any bit of extra income helps with inflation, particularly in Manhattan! Another clip on X showed just how absurd the line was to get into the courthouse for the jury selection ... so paying someone to save a spot makes sense.

Cleveland Browns linebacker Devin Bush -- a top-10 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft -- was arrested on Sunday in Pennsylvania.

Court records -- obtained by TMZ Sports -- show the former Univ. of Michigan standout was thrown behind bars in Allegheny County on two separate charges ... simple assault and harassment.

According to the police criminal complaint ... Bush's girlfriend told cops the football player smashed her phone during a heated dispute Sunday morning.

President Trump knows how to throw a curveball — and his latest one most people won't see coming because he plans to reopen the notorious Alcatraz prison.

In fact, the commander in chief says on Truth Social ... he’s directing the federal Bureau of Prisons to not only reopen Alcatraz but to rebuild the prison in order to “house America’s most ruthless and violent Offenders” and “serve as a symbol of Law, Order and JUSTICE.”

In his Truth Social post Sunday night, Trump goes on to say, “We will no longer be held hostage to criminals, thugs, and Judges that are afraid to do their job and allow us to remove criminals, who came into our Country illegally.”

Lady Gaga knew nothing about the alleged bomb plot at her concert or even in the immediate aftermath ... 'cause TMZ has learned cops didn't say anything to her -- she found out from the media!

A rep for the singer-songwriter tells TMZ ... the whole team learned of the alleged threat from news reports that surfaced this morning -- prior to and during the show, they didn't hear anything from the police or other authorities regarding potential risks.

So, Gaga didn't get the chance to choose not to perform -- 'cause she was sent out there without any knowledge of what might happen.

Police in Brazil claim they disrupted a violent plot to detonate explosives at Lady Gaga’s record-breaking free concert that drew an estimated 2 million fans in Rio de Janeiro over the weekend.

According to Rio de Janeiro’s state police ... two people were arrested on Sunday in connection with the alleged planned attack, which was reportedly planned by a radicalized group that promoted hate speech against the LGBTQ+ community.

The officials said the group had been attempting to recruit teenagers online, encouraging them to participate in violent acts using Molotov cocktails and homemade explosives.

Cassie Ventura dated Diddy for more than a decade ... and, now she'll likely deliver some of the most important testimony at his federal trial, starting later this month.

The singer-songwriter has played a large role in Diddy's life no doubt ... and, we're going to recap her last couple years as they pertain to Diddy's life -- beginning in late 2023 when she filed a civil lawsuit against him.

Back in November of that year, Cassie sued Diddy ... accusing him of rape, human trafficking and other crimes. It was also the first time anyone had made mention of the alleged "freak offs" prosecutors claim Diddy had -- with Cassie claiming he coordinated sexual encounters between her and male prostitutes and pleasured himself while watching.

Finesse2tymes is back in federal custody ... with prosecutors alleging his arrest for terroristic threats in Texas violated his supervised released conditions.

The rapper's attorney Carl A. Moore tells TMZ … Finesse surrendered to authorities Friday and is in federal custody.

According to documents obtained by TMZ ... prosecutors are alleging he violated his supervised released on three occasions -- claiming he failed two drug tests, one in 2022 and the other in 2024, both times allegedly testing positive for marijuana.

Elizabeth Smart’s kidnapper Wanda Barzee may or may not be smiling after her arrest on Thursday ... but there’s no doubt she was one happy camper posing for her mugshot for Utah’s Sex Offender Registry.

TMZ has obtained the photo of Barzee from the registry -- and the convicted criminal could not have looked more jovial. Check out her big fat grin, showing off her yellow-stained teeth.

She also flashes her wild eyes and messy white hair with moles on her face and neck. The registry lists, among other things, her height, weight and 11 aliases along with details about her federal conviction for abducting Smart.

Elizabeth Smart's kidnapper, Wanda Barzee, was back behind bars for a brief moment ... because she was arrested in Utah for allegedly violating the conditions of her supervised release.

Police in Salt Lake City tell TMZ ... Wanda was arrested Thursday after detectives discovered she allegedly visited at least two public parks in town.

The issue ... Barzee is a registered sex offender in Utah and going to a public park is a big no-no for her.

Diddy's defense may be aided by the fact there's a lot of noise about celebrity sex tapes and minors being involved in the Diddy criminal case ... those two things are NOT part of the case, and it could have a profound effect on jurors.

On the "2 Angry Men" podcast, Harvey Levin and Mark Geragos explored one of the perceptions out there about the Diddy criminal case ... and how it may swing the jury.

There's a false narrative that celebrity sex tapes and minors are part of the prosecution's evidence against Diddy ... with some folks out there, including potential jurors, under the false impression this case is the hip hop version of Jeffrey Epstein.

Sean "Diddy" Combs is just a few days away from standing trial in federal court, and we've got the answers to all the basic questions you may have. Read below to catch up on everything you need to know.

Diddy was arrested on September 16, 2024, in the lobby of the Park Hyatt New York hotel in Manhattan. The shocking arrest was caught on surveillance footage, obtained by TMZ.

Diddy was initially charged with three federal counts -- one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; one count of transportation to engage in prostitution; and one count of racketeering conspiracy. In April 2025, he was hit with two more charges -- another sex trafficking count, and another transportation to engage in prostitution charge, bringing the total number to five. He's pled not guilty to all charges.

Lil Durk is still in for the legal fight of his life ... prosecutors introduced a new charge against the Chicago rap star, alleging his stalking tactics led to the victim's death!!!

TMZ Hip Hop obtained the new legal docs filed against Durk on May 1 ... prosecutors have now charged him with one count of stalking resulting in death.

Prosecutors maintain Durk's rap career is not on trial, but claimed he still poses a flight risk for his alleged role in the execution of Quando Rondo's cousin, Saviay'a Robinson, in August 2022.

The federal prosecutors who will be trying to secure a conviction against Diddy in his upcoming trial are all white women ... led by the daughter of former FBI director James Comey.

Maurene Ryan Comey is set to lead the team of U.S. Attorneys from the vaunted Southern District of New York next week in court, when jury selection begins in Diddy's sex trafficking trial.

Maurene's father is the former FBI director who had a controversial role in the 2016 presidential election. James was ultimately fired from his post by President Trump a few months into Trump's first term.

Olympic sprinter Fred Kerley is once again in trouble with the law ... TMZ Sports has learned he was arrested on Thursday after he allegedly struck his ex-girlfriend in the face.

According to an arrest report we obtained ... cops were dispatched to Dania Beach, FL around 7:48 PM to investigate Kerley after Alaysha Johnson reported to authorities he had hit her.

The police docs state Johnson told officers she was at a conditioning appointment for an upcoming track and field event when she ran into Fred -- whom she had previously dated for about six months.

12:48 PM PT -- The creative team behind "Luigi: The Musical" released a statement assuring the public the musical is, "not a celebration of violence of any kind" and they "do not condone violence, sexual assault, or pedophilia in any form."

The legend of Luigi Mangione is growing ... because he's the subject of an upcoming musical, and it's the hottest ticket in San Francisco.

Luigi is the inspiration behind a musical comedy coming to the Taylor Street Theatre in San Francisco, and the play's entire run is already sold out.

"Luigi: The Musical" will also feature Diddy and Sam Bankman-Fried as characters ... with scenes and musical numbers centered around Luigi's time at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where all 3 men are in custody.

Diddy was back in court Thursday for one final hearing before his criminal trial ... and he told the judge he rejected a plea deal presented to him by federal prosecutors.

The Bad Boy Records founder strolled into a Manhattan courtroom wearing a tan jail jumpsuit, looking gray and thin ... and he waved to the public and media seated in the gallery before taking a seat at the defense table between two of his attorneys, Teny Geragos and Brian Steel.

Diddy was smiling and in good spirits ... chatting with Teny and Brian ... and he was chummy and seemed unfazed by the upcoming trial.