Diddy Charged With Sex Trafficking & Racketeering, Denied Bail

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Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested in New York City on Monday (16 June), and yesterday, federal prosecutors unsealed a criminal indictment against the musician.

Combs has been accused of sexual abuse, as well as running a “racketeering conspiracy that included sex trafficking, forced labour, kidnapping, arson and bribery,” per Billboard. Manhattan federal prosecutors accused Combs of operating a criminal enterprise that outlined his “pervasive pattern of abuse toward women.”

After the charges were read, a New York federal judge denied Combs bail, leaving him behind bars as he awaits trial. The jury trial could occur months from now.

In March, Combs’ Los Angeles and Miami homes were raided by federal agents as they investigated allegations of sex trafficking and sexual assault.

In addition to those claims, he was also being investigated for the solicitation and distribution of illegal firearms and narcotics. Combs has faced five accusations and lawsuits regarding sexual assault since November.

Earlier this year, shocking footage of Combs allegedly physically assaulting his ex-girlfriend, musician Cassie Ventura. The release of the video matched up with Ventura’s allegations in the lawsuit she made against Combs on 16 November 2023.

Prosecutors said in the indictment of Combs via Billboard, “For decades, Sean Combs … abused, threatened and coerced women and others around him to fulfil his sexual desires, protect his reputation and conceal his conduct.

“To do so, Combs relied on the employees, resources and the influence of his multi-faceted business empire that he led and controlled.”

If Combs is convicted, he faces a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison or a maximum sentence of life behind bars.

Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, argued that the musician is “not a criminal” and added: “To his credit, Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation, and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges.

“Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court.”

In December, Diddy posted a statement on social media and wrote that he “did not do any of the awful things being alleged.”