Note: This article describes alleged sexual assault that may be disturbing for some readers.
Hip-hop mogul Sean Combs, widely known by his stage name P. Diddy, was denied bail twice by two separate judges on consecutive days preceding his trial. Combs was arrested on September 16 in the Manhattan Park Hyatt Hotel by Homeland Security Investigations agents. He is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
In the federal indictment, the artist is accused of various crimes including coercion, abuse, blackmail and the use of violent threats to hush victims. Prosecutors claim that, dating back to 2008, Combs “manipulated women to participate in highly orchestrated performances of sexual activity with male commercial sex workers,” calling them “freak offs,” which he would arrange, direct and secretly record for his own pleasure. The recordings would then be used as blackmail to ensure victims’ obedience and silence.
Prosecutors also note that post-“freak off,” victims would often receive IV fluids to recover from the excessive physical exertion and drug use. Furthermore, during these events, Combs has been accused of injuring several women. The indictment states that he “hit, kicked, threw objects at, and dragged victims, at times, by their hair.” These statements have been corroborated by at least a dozen witnesses, some of whom have gone on record to admit their genuine fear of Combs.
While the “freak offs” make up the core of the prosecutors’ allegations, they are far from the only evidence that has been compiled against the former music mogul. Following raids of his Miami Beach and Los Angeles mansions, officials discovered, in addition to guns and ammunition, illicit substances and copious quantities of baby oil, which have been connected to the aforementioned crimes.
The indictment also refers to the release of security camera footage filmed in 2016 of Combs kicking, dragging and throwing a vase at then-girlfriend Casandra Ventura, known professionally as Cassie, at a hotel in Los Angeles. He has since responded to the footage by posting a now deleted apology video on Instagram, saying, “My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video.”
Combs was denied release on bail on both the Tuesday and Wednesday following his incarceration. His legal team argued that the “horrific” jail conditions within the Metropolitan Detention Center was a concrete reason to grant him pretrial freedom. Authorities, however, disagreed. Following the second appeal attempt, U.S. District Judge Andrew Carter asserted that the $50 million bond package offered by Combs’ team was “insufficient,” affirming a statement by prosecutors that, “[Combs] poses an ongoing and significant danger to the community, has repeatedly engaged in obstructive conduct, and presents a serious risk of flight” (CBS).
Defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo has been a particularly outspoken member of Combs’ legal team. He told CNN reporters that he has “flown around the country,” interviewing a “large number” of men who are alleged witnesses in the case and argued these supposed “performances” were strictly consensual acts among grown adults. After the second failure to bail Combs out of jail, Agnifilo told reporters that the ruling “did not go our way,” but the team had legal plans on appealing the bail denial. “I obviously would much prefer to fight this case with him out of jail, and we’re going to try to bring that about through additional legal process, but wherever he is, his resolve is the same,” said Agnifilo. “He believes he’s innocent. I believe he’s innocent, and we’re going to fight this case with all of our might until we don’t have to fight any longer” (USA Today).
Combs’ next court hearing is scheduled to take place on October 9.
