Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Pleads Not Guilty to Sex Trafficking Charges; Bail Denied in Explosive Case
Hip-hop icon Sean “Diddy” Combs pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and other serious crimes. The judge denied bail, and Combs was taken into custody to await trial, marking a pivotal moment in the legal battle against one of the music industry’s most influential figures.
According to an unsealed indictment from his September 16 arrest, Combs “abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct” for decades. He faces three felony counts: racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transporting individuals for prostitution.
Indictment Details Disturbing Allegations :
The 14-page indictment paints a grim picture of Combs’s alleged behavior, detailing a pattern of “verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual” abuse dating back to his rise to fame in the 1990s. The document claims that Combs used his businesses, primarily based in New York and Los Angeles, to cover up these actions, which reportedly involved sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, bribery, and even arson.
One notable incident mentioned in the indictment occurred in March 2016, when Combs was captured on surveillance video assaulting his then-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, at a Los Angeles hotel. The indictment also alleges that Combs attempted to bribe hotel security staff to keep the incident quiet.
“Freak Offs” and Coerced Sexual Acts:
Among the most shocking claims are accusations that Combs held “freak offs”—multi-day sexual sessions where women were allegedly coerced into performing sexual acts with male sex workers. The government contends that Combs lured women into these situations under the guise of romantic relationships and then used force, threats, and drugs such as ketamine and GHB to ensure their compliance.
According to the indictment, Combs recorded these “sex performances,” sometimes without the victims’ knowledge, and used the footage as “collateral” to ensure their silence. His employees allegedly facilitated the events by arranging travel, booking hotel rooms, and stocking supplies, which included drugs and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant.
March 2024 Raids: Guns and “Freak Off” Materials Seized:
Authorities raided Combs’s homes in Miami and Los Angeles in March 2024, seizing firearms—including three AR-15s with defaced serial numbers—ammunition, and “freak off” supplies. The indictment also claims that narcotics were found at the scene.
Cassie Ventura Incident Referenced:
The 2016 incident involving Ventura is a key component of the case. The indictment claims that Combs’s violence spanned years, involving multiple women and witnesses. It further alleges that Combs resorted to bribing witnesses, including security personnel, to keep his actions hidden.
Arson and Threats:
In a particularly disturbing claim, the indictment suggests that Combs used arson to intimidate those around him. Although no specific arson victims are named, the lawsuit filed by Ventura in 2023 alleged that Combs threatened to blow up Kid Cudi’s car after learning about her relationship with the rapper. Shortly afterward, Cudi’s car exploded in his driveway.
Combs’s Defense and Attempt to Secure Bail:
Combs’s attorney, Marc Agnifilo, maintains his client’s innocence, stating, “He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal.” Agnifilo expressed disappointment with the U.S. Attorney’s decision to pursue what he described as an “unjust prosecution,” asserting that Combs is a family man and philanthropist who has cooperated fully with the investigation.
Attempts to secure bail for Combs, including a $50 million bond offer backed by his Miami home, were rejected. Combs also offered to wear a GPS tracker and restrict his travel to New York City and Miami.
The rap mogul has reportedly been selling off assets, including his private plane and a Los Angeles home raided earlier this year, in light of the mounting legal challenges.
Combs, once known as a trailblazing entrepreneur and musician, now faces a trial that could drastically alter his legacy.
