Diddy denied bail, denies guilt in federal sex trafficking case

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Manhattan, N.Y.–Disgraced hip-hop music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was led out of the courtroom by Marshals to Tuesday afternoon after a judge denied bail for alleged crimes of sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson and more.

Combs pleaded not guilty to the federal charges. The decision to deny his bail request came a day after authorities arrest Combs at the Park Hyatt Hotel in NYC.

Months after famous singer and former girlfriend Cassie (Cassandra Ventura) filed a lawsuit in December accusing the music producer of years of violent abuse, along with the release of a graphic video depicting Combs beating Cassie in a hotel hallway released to CNN, a broader picture of widespread alleged abuse and trafficking has come to light.

“Members and associates of the Combs Enterprise engaged in, and attempted to engage in, among other activities, sex trafficking, forced labor, interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution, coercion and enticement to engage in prostitution, narcotics offenses, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice,” federal prosecutors claim in an indictment unsealed Tuesday.

“COMBS subjected victims to physical, emotional, and verbal abuse to cause
the victims to engage in Freak Offs,” it added.

Diddy denied bail

Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky denied Diddy bail after she developed “very significant concerns” about Combs’ substance abuse “and what appears to be anger issues,” the Associated Press reported Tuesday afternoon.

For years, allegations of misconduct have simmered around Combs, but none were made public until Cassie’s lawsuit. Despite denying the allegations at first, Diddy later apologized after someone leaked a hotel surveillance video to CNN depicting Combs violently assaulting Cassie.

Since Cassie’s lawsuit, several more victims have come forward. The flurry of accusations resulted in federal agents raiding Combs’ Los Angeles home in March, in which authorities confiscated drugs and 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant, along with AR-15 rifles with defaced serial numbers, Reuters reports.

Judge Tarnofsky’s decision to deny Diddy bail Tuesday came the same day federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment alleging Combs has been the leader of a criminal enterprise involving sex trafficking, sexual assault, racketeering, forced labor, kidnapping, arson and other crimes.

Combs denies guilt

Reporters described Combs having an emotionless express inside the courtroom Tuesday. Despite admitting to abusing Cassie, Combs’ lawyer said he maintains his innocence in the federal charges.

“Mr. Combs is a fighter. He’s going to fight this to the end. He’s innocent. He came to New York to establish his innocence,” defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo said outside court.

Combs faces one count of Racketeering Conspiracy, one count of Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud or Coercion and one count of Transportation to Engage in Prostitution. If convicted on all charges, Combs could face decades or even life in prison.