Diddy Denied Bail After Pleading Not Guilty in Sex Trafficking Case

Sean "Diddy" Combs at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Garden Arena on May 15, 2022 in Las Vegas, NV — Photo by Jean_Nelson/Deposit Photos

Sean “Diddy” Combs has been denied bail and will remain in custody as he awaits trial on three counts — racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution.

Combs, 54, appeared in federal court in New York City on Tuesday, Sept. 17, where he entered a plea of “not guilty.” Sitting with his hands folded, he listened to the charges against him.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky denied the music mogul’s request for bail, after which Combs took a sip from a water bottle before being escorted out of the courtroom, according to the Associated Press.

RelatedDiddy’s Former Bodyguard Thinks Feds Seized ‘Freak-Off’ Tapes of Celebs, Politicians, Preachers

The unsealed 14-page indictment outlines accusations dating back to 2008.

“Combs relied on the employees, resources, and influence of the multi-faceted business empire that he led and controlled — creating a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in, and attempted to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice,” the indictment says.

The document alleges that Combs lured women to participate in drug-fueled parties referred to as “freak-offs” with male sex workers. The sex parties would sometimes last for days with participants needing IV fluids, the indictment says.

Prosecutors allege Diddy coerced women into the “freak-offs” by “controlling their careers, leveraging his financial support” and at times “using intimidation and violence.”

The indictment notes that the mogul would watch the “freak-offs,” pleasure himself and record them, sometimes without the participants’ knowledge.

The rapper and producer’s lawyer Marc Agnifilo called the sexual activity consensual.

“Does everybody have experience with being intimate this way? No. Is it sex trafficking? No. Not if everybody wants to be there,” Agnifilo said in court.

Despite Agnifilo’s comments, the indictment says Diddy “used the sensitive, embarrassing, and incriminating recordings that he made during freak-offs as collateral to ensure the continued obedience and silence of the victims.”

The mogul’s arrest at a New York City hotel on Monday, Sept. 16, came after federal agents raided his homes in Miami and Los Angeles in March.

During a news conference on Tuesday, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said  agents seized “various freak-off supplies” in the raids, including including narcotics and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and personal lubricants.

Williams urged other potential victims to come forward.

“We are not done. This investigation is ongoing,” he said, before encouraging victims to call 1-800-4HSI-TIP.

The legal troubles for the once-powerful mogul began on Nov. 16, 2023, when his ex-girlfriend, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, filed a civil lawsuit in Manhattan’s Federal District Court alleging sexual abuse.

Combs settled with her for an undisclosed amount of money after one day, although his representatives said the settlement was not an admission of guilt.

However, the situation escalated when CNN released hotel security video showing Combs physically assaulting Ventura in the hallway of a Los Angeles hotel in March 2016.

Since then, several others have come forward with similar allegations, including music producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones and, just last week, singer Dawn Richard of Danity Kane.

Combs has denied all of their allegations.

If convicted, he faces a minimum of 15 years in prison, with the potential for a life sentence, according to the Associated Press.

Watch the U.S. Attorney’s news conference below: