Unpacking the Mann Act: How a 1910 Law is Being Used in High-Profile Cases like Diddy’s

The Mann Act, a federal law created in 1910 to protect white women from being transported across state lines for “immoral purposes,” has resurfaced in high-profile cases involving celebrities like Sean “Diddy” Combs and R. Kelly.

Combs was recently indicted on charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation for prostitution, similar to the charges faced by R. Kelly in 2021. Both cases hinge on the use of the Mann Act as a weapon by federal prosecutors.

Originally known as the White-Slave Traffic Act, the Mann Act was intended to combat immigrant prostitution and the alleged luring of young white women into “white slavery.” However, the law’s broad application of the term “immoral purpose” has led to its use in cases involving consensual relationships between white women and Black men.

In R. Kelly’s case, the singer was convicted on nine counts, eight of which were violations of the Mann Act. Prosecutors accused Kelly of using his celebrity status to target underage girls and young women for sexual exploitation.

Similarly, the DOJ alleges that Combs abused his power as a business mogul to transport sex workers across state lines for illegal sexual activities. His defense attorney argues that the relationships were consensual, pointing to a lawsuit filed by singer Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura as evidence.

As Combs awaits his upcoming hearing in federal court, the use of the Mann Act in these high-profile cases raises questions about its application in modern-day sex trafficking prosecutions. The intersection of race, power, and consent in these cases highlights the complexities of prosecuting crimes under a law originally intended to protect white women from exploitation.