Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs latest: Rapper to remain in jail as bail is rejected again in sex trafficking, racketeering case
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has faced a series of civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual abuse over the last year
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
Sean “Diddy” Combs will remain in jail while awaiting his federal trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges, a federal judge ruled during a Wednesday bail hearing.
For the second time this week, the rapper and music mogul appeared in a New York City courthouse to propose a $50 million bail package to avoid serving months in the notorious Metropolitan Detention Center.
Combs’ lawyers told the judge that Combs was not a flight risk or dangerous, despite prosecutors saying differently. His lawyers said they revoked Combs’ passport months ago and highlighted his charitable work to convince the judge.
But District Court Judge Andrew Carter was unconvinced and denied Combs’ request.
Carter said there is “no condition or set of conditions” that would ensure the safety of the community or that Combs would not contact witnesses.
The bail hearing happened about 24 hours after Combs pleaded not guilty to racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Marc Agnifilo, a lawyer for Combs, has insisted his client is “an innocent man with nothing to hide” and told reporters they were prepared to fight the charges.
Diddy used his music influence to force woman into sex and ‘freak offs’ in trafficking empire, prosecutors say
Sean 'Diddy' Combs arrest and abuse allegations: A timeline of key events
50 Cent mocks P Diddy after 1000 lube bottles seized in FBI arrest
What are the latest allegations against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs?
Others could be charged
According to the indictment, Combs did not act alone in allegedly coercing female victims into participating in “Freak Offs” and concealing physical, sexual and emotional abuse from the world. However, he is the only one charged.
But others could be charged and may currently be under investigation, U.S. attorney Damian Williams said on Tuesday.
“We are not done,” Williams said telling reporters the investigation remains ongoing.
This means Combs could also be charged with other crimes in a superseding indictment should prosecutors find more evidence of wrongdoing.
King Combs, son of Diddy, arrives at federal court
King Combs, the 26-year-old son of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs arrived at the Manhattan federal court where his father is being arraigned on three charges related to sex trafficking and violating RICO.
US attorney will seek to have Combs detained
The government wants to keep Combs detained while he awaits his sex trafficking trial, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said on Tuesday.
“The defendant is dangerous and poses an ongoing threat to the safety of the community. If released, he remains a serious risk of flight, despite the conditions offered by his counsel. Most glaringly, the defendant also poses a significant risk of obstructing justice,” Williams wrote in a letter to the judge.
The U.S. attorney said Combs has “already tried” to obstruct the government’s case by repeatedly contacting victims and witnesses and feeding them false narratives of the events.
Diddy charged with sex trafficking and racketeering
Sean “Diddy” Combs, the music mogul who has faced allegations of sexual abuse, was charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution after a federal grand jury in New York chose to bring an indictment against him.
Read more here:
Diddy charged with sex trafficking and racketeering as he appears in federal court
Music mogul is accused of running a ‘criminal enterprise’ to assist him in engaging in sexual, physical and emotional abuse against women
Federal agents found AR-15s and ‘1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant’ in Combs home
When federal agents raided Combs’ home in March, they allegedly found items related to the so-called “Freak Offs” that Combs hosted and weapons that were used to intimidate victims, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said during a press conference on Tuesday.
Williams said evidence of the “Freak Offs” included more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant that were used during the forced sexual acts and electronic devices that contained images and videos of the “Freak Offs” with multiple victims.
Additionally, three AR-15s with the serial number defaced and large-capacity drum magazines (59 rounds). These were allegedly brandished to intimidate victims into participating in “Freak Offs”.
Williams said agents found a firearm in Combs’ bedroom closet in his Miami home.
Watch Live: Outside of the courthouse where Diddy is set to appear
Watch live: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs expected in New York court after hotel arrest
Watch live as Sean "Diddy" Combs is expected to be arraigned at a courthouse in New York on Tuesday, 17 September, after he was arrested in Manhattan by federal agents on Monday evening.
Diddy expected to plead not guilty
Combs is expected to plead “not guilty” to the three federal criminal charges in his arraignment on Tuesday.
“He’s going to fight this with all of his energy and all of his might, and the full confidence of his lawyers. And I expect a long battle with a good result for Combs,” his lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, said outside of the courthouse.
What other allegations has Combs faced?
Combs has faced multiple accusations of sexual abuse, rape and sexual misconduct over the last year.
In November of 2023, R&B singer Cassie, whose full name is Casandra Ventura, filed a lawsuit alleging that she was trafficked, raped and beaten by Combs on many occasions over 10 years
She claimed Combs brought her into his “ostentatious, fast-paced, and drug-fueled lifestyle” not long after she met him, and signed her to his label in 2005 when she was just 19 and he was 37. Ventura claimed that the pattern of abuse began as soon as their relationship started.
An anonymous woman also filed a lawsuit, accusing Combs and singer-songwriter Aaron Hall of rape.
April Lampros, a woman who met Diddy while she was a student – claimed he had sexually assaulted her multiple times between 1995 and the early 2000s.
Dawn Richard, a former bandmate, accused the music mogul of physically and sexually abusing her and others while the two worked together, according to a lawsuit filed in New York federal court.
Former model Crystal McKinney filed a lawsuit claiming the rapper sexually assaulted her at his recording studio in New York City in 2003.
US attorney will hold press conference
A press conference will be held at 11:30 a.m. ET where the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York will speak about the charges brought against Sean “Diddy” Combs
Indictment alleges Combs forced victims into ‘Freak Offs'
The indictment unveiled against Sean “Diddy” Combs contains graphic accusations of sexual, physical and emotional abuse spanning more than a decade.
Federal prosecutors allege Combs and those in his inner circle “wielded the power and prestige” of Combs to intimidate and lure female victims into Combs’ orbit under the pretense of a romantic relationship.
Combs allegedly then forced victims to engage in sex acts with male commercial sex workers which were often recorded and later used for Combs’ pleasure – something he allegedly referred to as “Freak Offs”.
The indictment alleges Combs subjected victims to physical, emotional and verbal abuse to cause them to engage in “Freak Offs” and maintained control over them with promises of career opportunities or threats of withholding financial support.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.