A federal grand jury has indicted Sean “Diddy” Combs for sexual trafficking and racketeering. He was charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution and arrested at a Manhattan hotel in New York on Monday.
“This office is determined to investigate and prosecute anyone who engages in sex trafficking, no matter how powerful or wealthy or famous you may be. A year ago, Sean Combs stood in Times Square and was handed a key to New York City. Today, he’s been indicted and will face justice,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams, according to The Washington Post.
Federal agents swooped in on the hip-hop mogul after a sealed indictment was filed at a federal courthouse in the Southern District of New York. The 54-year-old Combs pleaded not guilty after he was arraigned before U.S. District Court Judge Robyn Tarnofsky.
The defendant was accused of allegedly forcing sex trafficking victims to perform group sexual acts with associates and friends that Combs tagged “Freak-Offs.” It was reported that Combs recorded the events and watched them at a later time while masturbating. Furthermore, the indictment detailed how Combs and the victims used drugs and had to receive IV fluids due to exhaustion after the sexual acts.
Six months before the arrest, authorities raided the home of the defendant in Los Angeles and Miami. There, they found narcotics, over a thousand bottles of baby oil and lubricant, and three AR-15 rifles. Some of Combs’ employees were reported to have procured the hotel services, lubricants, and lighting and made the travel reservations for commercial sex workers across state lines.
Combs’ defense lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, argued for a $50 million bail bond with equity from the real estate properties that Combs and his mother owned in Miami. However, prosecutors argued that the defendant posed a flight risk and was predisposed to tampering with witnesses. The judge agreed, and Combs was denied bail.
“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. Sean ‘Diddy’ 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 is not criminal. 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," said Agnifilo, reported TMZ.
Combs is also facing a flurry of lawsuits since his former girlfriend Casandra Ventura claimed the defendant physically abused her and raped her for years. Combs settled the suit and apologized for his actions after CNN aired a video footage that showed the defendant kicking and throwing Ventura on the floor eight years prior.
Combs’ defense team is appealing the decision to deny the defendant bail. A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
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