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.
Watch: Diddy is ‘a fighter and not afraid of charges’ says lawyer
Ariana Baio19 September 2024 01:00
Inside the New York jail where Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is currently being held
Deadly stabbings, “barbaric” living conditions and maggots in the food: this is the state of the New York prison where Sean “Diddy” Combs is being held.
Diddy is currently being housed in pretrial detention in the notorious Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn and will stay there until he faces trial on racketeering and sex trafficking charges.
Rhian Lubin19 September 2024 00:00
Diddy’s future looks ‘bleak’ former prosecutor says
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs should prepare himself for a long trial process that may result in a minimum of 15 years in prison and most certainly will hurt his reputation, a former federal and state prosecutor forewarned.
Disturbing and shocking revelations that Combs ran a “criminal enterprise” that aided him in engaging in violent sex crimes were laid out in a three-count criminal indictment that was unveiled in the Southern District of New York on Tuesday.
Elie Honig, an attorney with experience trialing “complex international sex trafficking rings” and who worked in the US Attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York, said his review of the indictment wasn’t great for Combs.
“Given what I know about the SDNY and its racketeering and sex trafficking prosecutions – the outlook for Combs is bleak,” Honig wrote in an op-ed for Intelligencer on Wednesday.
Ariana Baio18 September 2024 23:00
Two judges have denied Combs’ request for bail. Here’s what they said
Combs’ request for bail, and $50 million proposed bail package, were not enough to convince two judges he should be released from custody.
On Tuesday, Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky voiced concern about Combs contacting potential witnesses as the government continues to investigate the allegations of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.
“The alleged victims are people with whom there is a power imbalance,” Judge Tarnofsky said. She added they are “susceptible to coercion”.
On Wednesday, District Court Judge Andrew Carter issued a similar ruling.
“I’ve heard from the parties, I find that the government has proven the defendant is a danger,” Carter said.
Ariana Baio18 September 2024 22:40
Judge denies Combs request for bail
Judge Carter denied Combs’ second request for bail, saying he is dangerous and the bail package does not address flight risk concerns.
Combs will return to Metropolitan Detention Center.
Ariana Baio18 September 2024 22:11
Judge appears skeptical of house arrest
Judge Carter hounded defense attorneys about the dangerousness of Combs, citing security camera footage of him physically assaulting a victim in 2016.
Combs’ defense attorneys claimed the actions in the video were a result of intense emotions from a couple who “loved” each other. The lawyers said the two were fighting due to infidelity.
Carter responded, “What does that have to do with him punching her, throwing a vase at her? What’s love got to do with that?”
Ariana Baio18 September 2024 22:00
Combs’ defense attorneys say he will not have access to a cell phone
Combs’ attorneys assured a judge that the music mogul would not have access to a cell phone or the internet if he was granted house arrest instead of jail.
They proposed they would use a private intelligence company, Sage Intelligence, to monitor Combs 24/7.
Additionally, they would maintain a visitor log and only pre-approved guests, such as his mother, sister, children or the mothers of his children, would be permitted to come into his home.
They argue that Combs is “responsible” and “deeply respects” the court’s authority because he flew to New York ahead of the charges being brought against him.
Ariana Baio18 September 2024 21:40
Defense attorneys argue Combs contacted witness
Defense attorneys for Combs argue that the music mogul and rapper only contacted a witness multiple times because she was concerned about media attention in the aftermath of Cassie’s 2023 lawsuit.
Ariana Baio18 September 2024 21:35
Federal prosecutors have little faith Combs’ team can control him
“The risk of obstruction in this case is heightened because of the defendant’s power,” the assistant US attorney said. “His influence makes it so difficult for witnesses to share their experiences…and to trust that the government can keep them safe from him”
Ariana Baio18 September 2024 21:15
Prosecutors argue Combs is dangerous
Federal prosecutors are trying to convince a district court judge that Combs poses a danger to the community and should be jailed while awaiting trial, accusing the music mogul of extorting his victims.
They cited examples from victims who allege he filmed “Freaks Offs” and then used them as blackmail.
Prosecutors said the “investigation is ongoing” and therefore they believe Combs should be held in jail while they continue to investigate the allegations. They fear that his associates or witnesses would refuse to speak about the alleged crimes they witnessed.
“Half a dozen escorts is just the tip of the iceberg of the number of escorts that have participated in ‘Freak Offs’,” federal prosecutors told the judge.
Ariana Baio18 September 2024 21:06