Sean "Diddy" Combs will remain in jail after a federal judge denied his second request for bail on Wednesday, following his indictment on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. U.S. District Judge Andrew L. Carter ruled that Combs' proposal-which included a $50 million bail, GPS monitoring, and restricted visitors-was insufficient to ensure public safety or the integrity of the case. The decision followed earlier arguments from prosecutors that no conditions could prevent Combs from intimidating witnesses.
Combs, the 54-year-old hip-hop mogul and founder of Bad Boy Records, has been in custody since his arrest at a Manhattan hotel on Monday. He has pleaded not guilty to a series of charges, including coercing women into drug-fueled, orchestrated sexual encounters known as "Freak Offs." Prosecutors argue that these acts, which allegedly spanned years, were part of a broader criminal enterprise that used physical and emotional abuse, blackmail, and violence to maintain control over his victims.
Judge Rejects Bail Plan
Judge Carter's ruling came after Combs' legal team made their second attempt to secure his release from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he has been held since Tuesday. Despite the defense's offer to confine Combs to his Florida mansion with GPS tracking, Carter found the plan inadequate. He agreed with prosecutors that Combs posed a significant risk to the safety of witnesses and the public.
"There is a longstanding pattern of abuse here," prosecutor Emily Johnson told the court. Johnson pointed to a series of text messages that detailed Combs' alleged history of threatening and intimidating his victims. She emphasized that Combs had used recordings of sexual acts as blackmail to keep the women silent.
Carter raised concerns about Combs' violent tendencies, citing an incident captured in a 2016 security video that showed the mogul physically assaulting his then-girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie, in a Los Angeles hotel hallway. Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, has since come forward publicly with allegations that echo many of those in the federal indictment.
A History of Violence
Prosecutors have built a case around what they describe as Combs' "long history" of violence and coercion. The indictment alleges that Combs, with the help of associates and employees, engaged in a wide range of abusive practices, including kidnapping, arson, and physical beatings. These acts, according to Johnson, were designed to keep victims under his control and prevent them from speaking out.
Combs' defense lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, argued that the charges stem from what he described as a troubled but consensual relationship between Combs and Cassie. He contended that the "Freak Offs" were an extension of their relationship and not coerced. "The sex and the violence were totally separate and motivated by totally different things," Agnifilo stated, claiming that both parties willingly participated in bringing sex workers into their relationship.
Despite the defense's arguments, Carter remained unmoved. He rejected the idea that house arrest in Combs' luxury mansion on Star Island in Florida would be an effective solution, questioning whether such arrangements could truly prevent further intimidation of witnesses.
The Scope of the Case
Combs' case has attracted widespread attention, not only because of his status as a music and business mogul but also due to the breadth of the allegations. Prosecutors revealed that they had interviewed over 50 victims and witnesses as part of the investigation.
In March, federal authorities conducted raids on Combs' homes in Los Angeles and Florida, seizing drugs, weapons, and what prosecutors referred to as "freak off supplies," which included more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant. Additionally, authorities found multiple firearms, including three AR-15 rifles with defaced serial numbers.
The indictment paints a disturbing picture of Combs' alleged criminal enterprise, which prosecutors claim was operated through his various businesses, including Bad Boy Entertainment and Combs Global. Authorities assert that Combs used his vast resources and connections to orchestrate abusive and violent activities for years, using his influence to evade accountability.
Combs' Legal Strategy
Following Wednesday's ruling, Agnifilo announced plans to appeal the decision to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in a bid to release Combs before his trial. The defense also indicated they would request Combs' transfer from the Brooklyn detention facility, which has been criticized for its poor conditions, to a jail in New Jersey. "I'm not going to let him sit in that jail a day longer than he has to," Agnifilo told reporters outside the courtroom.
Combs, who has built a public image as a father of seven and a successful entrepreneur, now faces a potential 15 years to life in prison if convicted on all charges.
