Trigger warning: This article contains references to sexual abuse
Sean “Diddy” Combs was denied bail again on Wednesday, September 18, after his attorney Mark Angifino argued for a second time that the music legend should be released from Brooklyn’s “appalling” Metropolitan Detention Center while he awaits trial in a sex trafficking case.
A federal judge in New York sent Diddy to jail on Tuesday after prosecutors argued he posed a “serious risk of flight.”
Combs was arrested at a Manhattan hotel on Monday evening, September 16, by federal authorities, who charged him with three counts: racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Calling Combs “a serial abuser,” Assistant District Attorney Emily A. Johnson said in court during his arraignment on Tuesday that the rapper has demonstrated a pattern of abuse and has not been stopped by law enforcement in years, adding, “He poses a significant danger to the community.”
According to People, on Wednesday Combs’ defense proposed that he be allowed to live alone at home in Florida, with a 24/7 security team to monitor his movements and be allowed to socialize with a pre-approved guest list. He also offered to give up any access to his cell phone or the internet and do nothing except prepare for his trial. However, Judge Andrew L. Carter, a different judge from the one who remanded Combs on Tuesday, said there was “no condition or combination of conditions to ensure that he (Combs) will not obstruct justice or tamper with witnesses.”
Also read: Sean Diddy Combs: Rapper loses all his jobs amid ongoing assault allegations and cases
According to the aforementioned outlet, Combs, who appeared for his second hearing in two days following his arrest, bowed his head and looked toward the defense table when he heard the judge’s ruling.
In their 14-page indictment, prosecutors accuse Combs of forcing women to participate in “lewd antics” that sometimes lasted for several days. According to federal authorities, Combs planned, directed, and recorded these performances, often using the recordings to ensure that the victims obeyed him and stayed silent. The indictment details that the rapper allegedly threatened their careers and livelihoods if they resisted participating in the “lewd antics.”
In addition to molestation, Combs also allegedly used physical force, including hitting the women, throwing objects at them and dragging them by their hair to compel them. The violence caused injuries to the victims that took days or weeks to heal, according to the indictment.
In court on Tuesday, Johnson compared the rapper’s case to those of Jeffrey Epstein, Keith Raniere and R. Kelly, causing Combs’ attorney to describe the cases as “night and day different,” and told the judge that unlike the other three men, his client is not accused of sexually abusing minors.
Combs has denied all charges against him. After Wednesday’s verdict, Marc Agnifilo told reporters the fight would go on.
If convicted on all three counts, the rapper could face 15 years to life in prison.
If you need help or know someone who is experiencing domestic violence, assault or abuse, please contact your nearest mental health professional, NGO or talk to someone about it. There are many helplines available for this.
Also read: ‘He needs treatment’: Sean Diddy Combs’ lawyer shares update on rapper’s health amid arrest
