Photo Credit:BBC News, Washington
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been denied bail following his arrest on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. The decision came after a federal judge ruled that Combs posed a “serious flight risk”. The charges could see Combs facing life in prison if convicted.
Combs was arrested in New York City on Monday evening, roughly six months after federal agents raided his residences in Miami and Los Angeles. The 14-page indictment, unsealed on Tuesday, accuses Combs of running a criminal enterprise that relied on drugs and violence to force women to “fulfill his sexual desires”. The indictment details a series of allegations, including sex trafficking by force, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering.
Federal prosecutors argued that Combs should remain in custody until his trial, citing his potential to flee and the severity of the charges. “On numerous occasions,” the indictment states, Combs assaulted women by “striking, punching, dragging, throwing objects at, and kicking them." Prosecutors also highlighted that Combs “abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct."
Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, expressed disappointment with the indictment and maintained his client’s innocence. “His spirits are good. He’s confident,” Agnifilo said outside the courthouse on Tuesday. Agnifilo described the charges as part of “an unjust prosecution” and emphasized that Combs had voluntarily traveled to New York to face the charges.
Tyrone Blackburn, an attorney representing several of Combs’ accusers, described the arrest as “the first step for our clients receiving justice." Blackburn added, “We leave the criminal aspect of this case in the hands of the people and justice system. As for the civil cases, we await our time for the facts to reveal themselves and seek the justice our clients deserve."
US prosecutor Damian Williams hinted at the possibility of further charges, stating that officials found firearms, ammunition, and more than 1,000 bottles of lubricant during their investigation. Williams did not rule out additional charges but refrained from offering specific details.
