Diddy trial day 11 sees Kid Cudi car bombing described as targeted attack by arson investigator

Arson investigator testifies Kid Cudi's Porsche was firebombed in 2012 amid claims linking Diddy to the incident.

A Los Angeles Fire Department arson investigator testified Wednesday in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ongoing federal sex trafficking trial in New York, revealing that a 2012 fire at musician Kid Cudi’s home appeared to be a “targeted” attack.

Lance Jimenez, an arson specialist, described the incident involving Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi’s Porsche, which caught fire outside his Los Angeles home in January 2012. Jimenez said a Molotov cocktail was used but did not shatter correctly, causing a slow-burning fire rather than an explosion. He found a bottle on the car’s front seat and a burned cloth on the console. The vehicle’s roof had been cut, and damage was consistent with a failed firebombing.

“In my professional opinion, it was targeted,” Jimenez testified.

This followed earlier testimony about a separate 2011 incident, in which Los Angeles police officer Christopher Ignacio responded to Cudi’s home after a reported break-in. Ignacio recalled seeing a black Escalade speeding away as he arrived. The vehicle was later linked to Combs’ company, Bad Boy Productions. Cudi testified that Combs broke into his home after learning of his relationship with Cassie Ventura, Combs’ former partner.

Cudi told the court last week he suspected Combs was behind the later bombing, though Combs denied involvement when confronted.

Jimenez also disclosed that fingerprint cards Cudi provided police after the 2011 incident were destroyed by LAPD in August 2012. Prosecutors called this unusual and relevant, but the defense objected, saying it unfairly implied courtroom misconduct.

Combs is facing multiple federal charges including sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy. Prosecutors allege that between 2004 and 2024, he abused and coerced victims to fulfill his sexual desires. Combs has denied all wrongdoing.