American hip-hop icon Sean “Diddy” Combs has been denied bail after pleading not guilty to sex trafficking charges.
A New York federal judge ordered the 54-year-old music mogul to remain in custody, deeming him a “serious flight risk” during a court hearing on Tuesday.
Combs, who was arrested on Monday evening, is accused of running a criminal enterprise dating back to at least 2008.
Prosecutors allege that he used drugs, violence, and intimidation to coerce women into sexual exploitation for his own benefit. The indictment against him includes charges of racketeering, sex trafficking by force, and transporting individuals for prostitution.
If convicted on all counts, Combs could face a sentence ranging from 15 years to life imprisonment.
Appearing in Manhattan court dressed in a black T-shirt and grey sweatpants, Combs stood before US Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky and entered a plea of “not guilty.”
Court documents reveal that Combs allegedly used his status to lure female victims into sex acts during events referred to as “Freak Offs,” where controlled substances were distributed to keep victims compliant.
Prosecutor Damian Williams disclosed that authorities discovered firearms, ammunition, and over 1,000 bottles of lubricant during raids on Combs’s properties in Miami and Los Angeles six months ago. Weapons, including three semi-automatic rifles with defaced serial numbers, were also found.
Combs’s attorney, Marc Agnifilo, announced plans to appeal the judge’s bail decision, with a hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
Agnifilo expressed confidence in his client, describing the case as an “unjust prosecution” and asserting that Combs did not commit the crimes alleged.
Prosecutors, however, accuse Combs of leading a criminal enterprise involved in sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, and other illegal activities. Court filings allege that Combs physically assaulted numerous women to maintain control, protect his image, and cover up his actions.
The case adds to a series of legal challenges for Combs, who has faced multiple allegations of sexual assault and abuse. In November, his former girlfriend, singer Casandra Elizabeth Ventura, filed a civil lawsuit accusing him of violent abuse.
Although he denied the claims, Combs settled the case shortly after it was filed.
Earlier this year, Combs made headlines again after CCTV footage surfaced showing him allegedly assaulting Ventura at a Los Angeles hotel.
The Grammy-winning music producer, known for founding Bad Boy Records and launching the careers of artists like Usher, Mary J. Blige, and the Notorious B.I.G., is facing the most serious legal battle of his career.
His legal troubles have already impacted his public image, with Howard University revoking his honorary degree and the City of New York rescinding his ceremonial “Key to the City.”
