Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing continued detention after a judge rejected his proposal to await his sex trafficking trial in the comfort of his Florida mansion.
U.S. District Judge Andrew L. Carter deemed Combs’ $50 million bail offer, along with GPS monitoring and visitor restrictions, insufficient to ensure the safety of the community and the integrity of his case.
The judge agreed with prosecutors that no conditions of release could eliminate the risk of Combs threatening or harming witnesses, a key allegation in the case.
Combs, who has been in federal custody since his arrest, has made multiple attempts to secure bail.
His defense team plans to appeal the judge’s decision and is seeking to have him transferred from the Brooklyn jail to a facility in New Jersey. The judge, however, has left the decision on his placement up to the federal Bureau of Prisons.
The indictment against Combs accuses him of using his power to coerce female victims and male sex workers into elaborate and drug-fueled sexual performances known as “Freak Offs.”
This alleged abuse was facilitated by a network of associates and employees, with tactics such as blackmail and violence to silence victims.
Prosecutors argue that Combs has a history of intimidating accusers and witnesses, citing instances of threats and physical abuse.
The defense, on the other hand, claims that the allegations stem from a troubled but consensual relationship that soured due to infidelity. They argue that the “Freak Offs” were part of that relationship and not coercive.
Despite his public image as a respected businessman, Combs is facing serious charges that could result in a lengthy prison sentence.
Authorities have seized evidence from his properties, including drugs, videos, and weapons, in support of the allegations. If convicted on all charges, Combs could face a mandatory 15-year prison term with the possibility of life behind bars.
