After being denied bail by U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky in the Southern District of New York, hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs will remain in federal detention as he faces serious charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs, who has pleaded not guilty was arrested on charges that were part of a sealed federal indictment. Although his legal team proposed a $50 million bail package, prosecutors successfully argued that he poses a flight risk and is “dangerous.”
Combs must now await trial, but his legal team plans to appeal the decision.
The unsealed indictment alleged that the Harlem native was involved in several criminal enterprises related to sex trafficking, forced labor and prostitution. His arrest, which occurred a day before the 14-page indictment was unsealed, sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and social media. Federal prosecutors claim that for years, the 54-year-old used his power and influence to exploit women and commit serious violations of federal law. The charges, which include racketeering—a crime often linked to organized crime—portray a pattern of a long-running operation.
Since the news broke, Combs’ attorneys have been working to clear his name. In a statement, his lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo, expressed their dissatisfaction with the charges.
“We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” Agnifilo said. “Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children and working to uplift the Black community. He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal.”
However, Combs’ legal team faces an uphill battle, as the SDNY’s conviction rate stands at 95%, according to the United States Sentencing Commission.
In 2023, singer Cassie Ventura, who dated the former Revolt TV chairman for over a decade, filed a 35-page federal lawsuit accusing him of physical and sexual abuse. She claimed that he forced her into drug-fueled parties, which he referred to as “freak offs.” According to the lawsuit, Ventura signed with Bad Boy Records at 19, when Combs was 37, and their business relationship soon became personal and volatile.
After the lawsuit was filed, it drew widespread attention, but Combs and Ventura reached a settlement a day after the filing. At the time, Ventura commented, “I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control. I want to thank my family, fans, and lawyers for their unwavering support.”
Despite the detailed allegations in the lawsuit, the “Coming Home” rapper and his team continued to deny the claims, but after CNN released footage showing him physically assaulting Ventura in a hotel hallway, he later admitted that he was in a “very dark place” during the incident and apologized in an Instagram video. Ventura’s lawsuit led to further controversy and soon after, more individuals came forward with similar accusations against the media executive.
Four months after Ventura’s lawsuit was settled, armed Department of Homeland Security agents raided Combs’ Holmby Hills mansion in Los Angeles and his Miami waterfront home. During that raid, the agents seized several items—including narcotics, guns, ammunition, and over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricants—which were described as “freak off supplies” in the indictment, with prosecutors asserting that the evidence would strengthen their case.
This case is the most high-profile prosecution of a famous music industry personality since R&B singer R. Kelly’s conviction, which mirrored similar patterns of Combs’ current charges.
Combs’ 30-year career, which established him as a cultural architect who shaped the careers of icons like The Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige, while building brands such as Ciroc, is now under threat due to these charges.