Hip-hop icon Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing serious legal trouble after being denied bail in a sex-trafficking case.
The 54-year-old mogul pleaded not guilty in a New York federal court but was remanded in custody due to prosecutors deeming him a flight risk.
The charges against Mr. Combs stem from allegations of running a criminal enterprise since at least 2008, utilizing drugs and violence to coerce women into fulfilling his sexual desires.
The indictment includes charges of racketeering, sex trafficking by force, and transportation for prostitution. If convicted on all counts, the rapper could face a sentence ranging from 15 years to life in prison.
During his court appearance in Manhattan, Mr. Combs asserted his innocence, stating “Not guilty” when asked by the judge.
The court documents describe instances where he used his influence to engage in prolonged sex acts known as “Freak Offs” and provided controlled substances to keep victims compliant.
Federal agents reportedly discovered firearms, ammunition, and over 1,000 bottles of lubricant during raids on Mr. Combs’s properties in Miami and Los Angeles.
His defense attorney, Marc Agnifilo, has launched an appeal against his client’s bail denial, asserting that the accusations are unfounded and unjust.
This is not the first time Mr. Combs has been embroiled in legal disputes involving allegations of abuse and coercion. Last November, he settled a civil lawsuit with his ex-girlfriend, singer Casandra Elizabeth Ventura, after she made graphic accusations of violent abuse.
The indictment also mentions instances of Mr. Combs assaulting women through physical violence.
The music mogul, who has mentored prominent artists like Usher, Mary J Blige, and Notorious B.I.G., is facing a renewed wave of sexual assault allegations.
His legal team maintains his innocence and challenges the validity of the prosecution’s claims.
