Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs pleads not guilty to sex trafficking and extortion; judge denies bail as rapper faces possible life sentence

NEW YORK, Sept. 18 — Sean “Diddy” Combs used his fame as one of the biggest names in hip-hop to coerce women into degrading sex acts as part of a long-running sex trafficking and extortion scheme, prosecutors said yesterday in filing three criminal charges against him.

Combs, 54, pleaded not guilty in a Manhattan federal court hours after the 14-page indictment was made public. U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky denied Combs bail and granted a request from prosecutors to continue his detention ahead of the music mogul’s arrest on Monday.

The rapper and producer used his business empire, including his record label Bad Boy Entertainment, to transport women and male sex workers across state lines to participate in recorded sex performances called “Freak Offs,” during which the music mogul would watch and masturbate, prosecutors said.

In a possible preview of the defense strategy, Combs’ attorney Marc Agnifilo called the sexual activity described by prosecutors consensual.

“Does everyone have experience with intimacy like this? No. Is it sex trafficking? No. Not if that’s what everyone wants,” Agnifilo told the judge.

Combs faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a minimum of 15 years if convicted of all three charges: complicity in racketeering, human trafficking and transportation for the purpose of engaging in prostitution.

People gathered outside the United States Courthouse in Manhattan as Combs was arraigned. — Reuters

Prosecutors say Combs lured women into giving them drugs such as ketamine and ecstasy, financial support or promises of career advancement or romantic relationships. Combs then used the surreptitious recordings of the sex acts as “collateral” to keep the women silent, and sometimes displayed weapons to intimidate abuse victims and witnesses, prosecutors said.

The indictment did not specify how many women were alleged victims. It did not allege that Combs himself had direct unwanted sexual contact with women, though he was accused of assaulting them by punching, kicking, dragging and throwing objects. Combs and his associates used bribery and violence, including arson and kidnapping, to try to keep his behavior secret, prosecutors said.

When Tarnofsky asked how he would like to plead, Combs — dressed in a black T-shirt and gray sweatpants — stood, pulled up a thin microphone on the defense table and said, “Not guilty.”

“I am concerned that this is a crime that is happening behind closed doors,” the judge said in denying bail before Combs was led from the courtroom by members of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo said he will appeal his client’s continued detention during a hearing Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Andrew Carter, who will hear the remainder of the case.

Combs, who was also known as P. Diddy and Puff Daddy during his career, founded Bad Boy Records and is credited with helping to catapult rappers and R&B singers such as Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Notorious B.I.G. and Usher to stardom in the 1990s and 2000s.

‘Extremely dangerous’

Prosecutors accused Combs of running a criminal enterprise to facilitate his exploitation of women, a venture that dates back at least 16 years and was brought by the office of Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams.

“Defendant Sean Combs has physically and sexually abused victims for decades,” prosecutor Emily Johnson, who argued for continued incarceration, told the judge. “He is extremely dangerous to the community.”

The defense had sought to have Combs released on $50 million bond, secured by his Miami home. Agnifilo acknowledged that Combs has a history of drug abuse and toxic relationships, and said he was receiving treatment and therapy, without going into details.

Combs is the highest-profile music industry figure to be charged with sexual misconduct since R&B singer R. Kelly was sentenced to a total of 31 years in prison in 2021 in New York and in 2022 in Chicago for sex trafficking, racketeering, child sex trafficking and other charges.

During raids on his homes in Los Angeles and Miami Beach, authorities found drugs, 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant, along with AR-15 rifles with defaced serial numbers. — Reuters

Combs’ career has been in disarray over the past year as he faces a series of civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual and other misconduct, as well as a federal criminal investigation.

Last November, his ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura, an R&B singer known as Cassie, accused him in a lawsuit of serial physical abuse, sexual slavery and rape. She agreed to an undisclosed settlement the day after the trial. Combs denied her allegations.

In a March 2016 incident that resembles Cassie’s description of his alleged attack, prosecutors said Combs was captured on hotel security video punching and dragging a woman who was trying to leave a “Freak Off.” Combs then offered a wad of cash to a hotel security guard who intervened, prosecutors said.

According to the indictment, prosecutors said Combs’ employees helped organize the “Freak Offs” by booking hotel rooms and purchasing narcotics and other items used during sex.

During raids on his homes in Los Angeles and Miami Beach, Florida, six months ago, authorities found drugs and 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant, along with AR-15 rifles with defaced serial numbers, the indictment said. — Reuters