Sean “Diddy” Combs will remain in federal custody after his defense team’s efforts to secure bail were rejected in court on Wednesday. In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Andrew Carter stated that there were no conditions that could adequately mitigate the risks of witness tampering or obstruction of justice. Combs, who has pleaded not guilty, is facing a slew of serious charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted, the music mogul and entrepreneur could face a life sentence. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 9.
The 54-year-old hip-hop icon has been held at the Special Housing Unit in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his arrest earlier this week. Federal prosecutors allege that Combs masterminded a sprawling criminal enterprise within his business empire that engaged in crimes ranging from sex trafficking and forced labor to arson and obstruction of justice. According to the federal indictment, Combs allegedly abused his power to coerce women and other victims into participating in these illegal activities. The charges also detail his use of threats and violence to silence those around him and conceal his conduct.
Combs’ defense attorneys, in a bid to secure his release, presented an extensive bail package, which included a $50 million bond, strict home detention, weekly drug testing, and a ban on non-family female visitors to his Miami properties. They also proposed that Combs surrender his passport and refrain from using cell phones or the internet. However, Judge Carter expressed deep concerns about the potential for obstruction of justice, citing past allegations that Combs had already attempted to intimidate witnesses. “The danger of witness tampering is a real concern here,” Carter said, rejecting the bail package as “insufficient.”
Prosecutors argued that Combs represents a significant flight risk due to his vast financial resources and influence. They also pointed to a cache of weapons found in his home during a raid earlier this year, which they believe further underscores the danger he poses. During the hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson described Combs as a “serial abuser and a serial obstructor,” noting that several witnesses had expressed fear of retaliation. Johnson highlighted the gravity of the charges and argued that no combination of conditions could guarantee the safety of witnesses or ensure that Combs would return to court.
Combs’ attorneys have denied the allegations, arguing that his interactions with witnesses were misunderstood and that the “freak offs” mentioned in the indictment were consensual activities among adults. Despite the defense’s insistence that Combs has no intention of fleeing and is prepared to fight the charges, the court remains firm in its decision to keep him detained. As the legal battle unfolds, Combs will continue to be held in isolation at the Brooklyn detention center, where his legal team contends that the conditions are making it difficult for him to prepare for trial.
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