Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Denied Bail in Appeal Hearing, Will Remain in Custody on Sex Trafficking and Racketeering Charges
Sean “Diddy” Combs has been denied bail at his appeal hearing in Manhattan this afternoon, and will remain in custody after District Court Judge Andrew L. Carter deemed him a danger and flight risk.
Combs appeared in court following his arrest on Monday in New York City, when he was subsequently charged on three counts including racketeering conspiracy; sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and transportation to engage in prostitution.
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During the bail appeal hearing, documented by Inner City Press’ Matthew Russell Lee, prosecutors reiterated points from the indictment that he drugged victims and filmed them during “freak-offs,” or days-long orgies, using the footage as blackmail. They claim that six guns were seized from his properties, and that the head of his security has been served with a subpoena. Prosecutors also asserted that Combs was aware of the severity of his actions when he brutally attacked his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura at a Los Angeles hotel, contradicting his claims that he was simply trying to retrieve his clothes.
Prosecutors further claimed that Combs interfered with legal proceedings, contacting witnesses after his grand jury subpoena and offering compensation in return for support. They said that he should be detained as his offer for bail appeal did not adequately address potential further obstruction.
Combs’ counsel denied coercion and stated that if granted bail, security consulting firm Sage Intelligence would provide retired law enforcement officials to monitor Combs’ residence at all hours. Defense also offered to put cameras to film 24 hours a day. Combs would not have access to a cell phone or Internet, and there would be a pre-approved visitor log to provide to the court, pacifying the worry of witness intimidation.
Judge Carter described the video of Combs assaulting Ventura as “troubling,” and defense claimed that he had problems with drug addiction and anger that he addressed by entering a rehab program. Combs’ attorneys pointed out that Ventura also entered a rehab program. Inevitably, Carter denied bail for Combs and stated that the bail package was insufficient.
Earlier today, Combs filed an appeal to his bail denial after he was detained. As part of the appeal, Combs proposed amendments to his initial bail offer, claiming that if it were granted, he would prohibit female visitors from coming to his home and submit to weekly drug tests. He initially offered a $50 million bond plus the surrender of his passport and restricted travel.
Shortly after Combs filed his bail appeal, prosecutors filed a response arguing that he is a flight risk and should be detained. The letter reiterated that Combs poses a risk of obstructing justice and ongoing danger. Additionally, the letter referenced an appearance that Combs’ attorney Marc Agnifilo made yesterday on CNN where he “impugned the allegations made by a statutory victim” by discrediting her claims.
In that interview, Agnifilo stated that Combs was not being tried for crimes against his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, but rather for sex trafficking. Prosecutors assert that in the interview, Agnifilo challenged the motivation and timing of her claims, and that his statements were factually inaccurate. They also said that this could intimidate other witnesses from speaking out against Combs.
Yesterday, he pleaded not guilty and was ordered to remain in federal custody after the judge, Robyn F. Tarnofsky, denied him bail. Tarnofsky said that there was no guarantee that Combs would appear in court, and that the “presumption in favor of detention has not been rebutted” by the defense.
Agnifilo had argued that Combs was trustworthy after voluntarily turning himself in to authorities, surrendering his passport to his attorneys, notifying the government of domestic travel and attempting to sell his private plane. Prosecutors rebutted those claims and that his wealth would allow him to flee the country undetected.
The unsealed indictment claimed that Combs has engaged in verbal, abusive and coercive conduct toward women for years. Prosecutors said that he would stage “freak-offs” where women would be given drugs and be coerced into have sex with male sex workers. He was also accused of violent acts towards women and that, in 2011, he and an associate kidnapped someone at gunpoint and set fire to another person’s car.
If convicted, Combs faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and could face life in prison.
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