Sean “Diddy” Combs is being held without bail after he was charged with sex trafficking in an scathing indictment that was unsealed Tuesday in New York.
The indictment states that Combs participated in sex trafficking by force, transportation to engage in prostitution and racketeering conspiracy, alleging he ran an “enterprise that he engaged in sex trafficking, forced labor or, kidnapping, arson and other crimes.
Federal prosecutors said Combs “abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct” sincd 2008.
Combs appeared in a New York City federal courtroom on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty and was denied bail. Two of the charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison. Prosecutors had asked that he remain jailed until trial.
Combs, with help from Combs Enterprise associates are accused of “creating a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in, and attempted to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice.”
“Sometimes unbeknownst to the victims, Combs kept videos he filmed of victims engaging in sex acts with commercial sex workers,” federal prosecutors said.
The indictment’s main focus is around elaborate sex parties that he called “freak offs” and that included the distribution of drugs, the transportation of sex workers across state and international lines, and the use of force and threats against women who were forced to participate.
In a search at Combs’ Miami home, police found three AR-15 rifles and a drum magazine, prosecutors said.
The indictment mentions a 2016 assault on Ventura that was captured on hotel surveillance video and published by CNN in May. Combs admitted to his behavior in the video in an apology after its release.
Combs’ attorney is appealing the decision to hold him without bail. The appeal hearing is set for Wednesday.
