Editor’s Note: This story contains discussions of domestic violence, rape or sexual assault. Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or abuse, you can find resources and discreet ways to get help on the National Domestic Violence Hotline website or the National Sexual Assault Hotline website.
(NewsNation) — A prosecution witness who alleges he took part in sex acts at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ direction exclusively told NewsNation’s “Banfield” on Tuesday that he did not consider the encounters criminal at the time.
Sharay Hayes, known professionally as “The Punisher,” testified Tuesday. Cassie Ventura’s mother also took the stand with emotional testimony about threats against her daughter.
Hayes, who was a stripper, told NewsNation that while he sometimes observed Ventura “sighing or wincing” at Combs’ repeated directions, he interpreted it “as frustration” with the situation rather than unwillingness to participate.
Sharay “The Punisher” Hayes testified that he was hired by Diddy and Cassie Ventura multiple times for hourslong “sexy scenes,” saying Diddy was in charge but he never saw violence, cameras or drugs. He joins NewsNation’s “Banfield” exclusively to discuss his testimony. 
Sean “Diddy” Combs, right, blows kisses to people in the audience during his sex trafficking and racketeering trial in Manhattan federal court, Monday, May 19, 2025, in New York. (Elizabeth Williams via AP)
“It would be suggestive … nothing aggressive, nothing that would create some sort of scenario that this was, like, unnatural between them,” Hayes said. “In hindsight, if there were no accusations, I would have seen it as completely natural.”
Hayes told jurors he was hired eight-12 times by Combs and Ventura to participate in sexual encounters that he described as “methodical” and “routine.” Hayes said he viewed the situation as a couple engaging in consensual fantasy role-play.
“In the moment, I didn’t see it as anything but a couple doing something risqué, and Cassie as a partner trying to create a fantasy for who I believed was her husband,” Hayes told NewsNation.
Hayes said these encounters only included himself, Ventura and Combs.
Hayes testified that Combs directed all aspects of the sexual encounters, though he never witnessed violence during the sessions in which he participated. He described a consistent pattern where encounters would begin with baby oil application, escalate to sexual touching and culminate in sexual acts.
Earlier in the day, Regina Ventura, Cassie’s mother, delivered emotional testimony about discovering in 2011 that Combs threatened to release “two explicit sex tapes” of her daughter after learning Cassie Venura was dating rapper Kid Cudi.
The mother also said she photographed bruises on her daughter’s body that were allegedly inflicted by Combs. Defense attorneys declined to cross-examine Regina Ventura.
Prosecutors are using such testimony to build their case that Combs led a criminal enterprise, using his employees and business infrastructure to commit “predicate acts” required for racketeering charges.
When asked whether he believed Combs was guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering, Hayes declined to offer an opinion.
“I don’t have the legal understanding to levy the evidence and come to a determination of what I think,” Hayes said. “I just think it’s an unfortunate situation for everyone.”
Hayes also referenced a book he wrote about his encounters he said he had with the couple.
Combs faces federal charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and other crimes. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.