Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been denied bail in his ongoing sex trafficking and racketeering case.
On Monday, the rapper and music mogul was arrested in Manhattan, New York following a string of sexual misconduct allegations filed against him over the past year. He was then charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage in prostitution according to legal documents on Tuesday (September 17).
If convicted, he could face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life. Combs pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
While appearing in court on Tuesday, federal judge Robyn Tarnofsky declared that Combs was to remain in federal custody while awaiting his trial, denying his lawyers’ request for bail.
Per a Rolling Stone report, Combs’ defense attorneys had proposed to put him on home detention with a USD$50million bond secured by his Miami residence, but the request was denied by judge Tarnofsky, who voiced “very significant concerns” regarding his alleged substance abuse, his “anger issues” and his alleged efforts behind closed doors to control the outcome of his prosecution. Tarnofsky also said Combs would be a “flight risk”.
Prosecutors also argued that if released on bail, Combs could pose a threat to the community due to his alleged history of physical and sexual violence. They also expressed concerns that Combs would interfere with victims and witnesses if he was released.
During the bail hearing, prosecutors alleged that he had contacted Kalenna Harper – who has come out as an alleged witness to a number of events – 128 times through means of phone calls and text messages. Prosecutors also claimed that Combs did so in an attempt to “spread false narratives, to get witnesses on his side”.
In a statement to Rolling Stone and other members of the press following yesterday’s heading, Combs’ lawyer Marc Agnifilo announced his intentions to appeal the decision against Diddy’s bail denial in court later today (September 18): “Mr. Combs is a fighter. He’s going to fight this until the end. He is innocent. We’re going to fight this case with everything we have.”
NME have reached out to Diddy’s representatives for comment.
The charges follow a wave of accusations and lawsuits against Combs, beginning in November 2023 when R&B singer and Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie filed a lawsuit against him on allegations of physical and sexual abuse. Diddy denied the claims before the pair settled the lawsuit “to mutual satisfaction” a day after it was filed. Footage of Combs’ attack on Cassie was later released to the public in May, and Diddy issued an apology for his actions at the time.
A week after Ventura’s original lawsuit filed in November last year, two new allegations were made against Diddy; one woman claimed Combs drugged and sexually assaulted her and the other alleged that Combs and singer-songwriter Aaron Hall took turns raping the plaintiff and her friend in 1990 or 1991 – adding that Diddy turned violent days later. Diddy went online to deny all allegations against him, but Hall hasn’t replied to the accusations.
Earlier this year, producer Rodney ‘Lil Rod’ Jones sued Combs alleging he sexually assaulted him, had parties where sex workers and underage girls were present, and coerced him to sleep with prostitutes. Diddy replied, saying Jones’ claims were “pure fiction”.
Diddy continues to deny any wrongdoing.
On May 22, he was accused of drugging and assaulting Crystal McKinney, a former model. McKinney accused him of assaulting her at a Men’s Fashion Week event in 2003 by giving her a “powerful” joint and then assaulting her in a bathroom. Diddy did not respond for comment.
A former porn actress also came forward on July 4 to accuse the rapper of sex trafficking. Diddy’s lawyer has denied the claims, maintaining that “Mr Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyone.”
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.