Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs in Court Live Updates: What to Know About His Alleged Sex Crimes
Sean “Diddy” Combs is appearing in a New York City court on Tuesday, Sept. 17, as he faces federal sex crimes charges.
The 54-year-old music mogul was charged with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution, according to a federal indictment.
On Monday, Sept. 16, Combs was arrested by federal agents based on a then-sealed indictment filed by prosecutors, according to the office of the US Attorney of the Southern District of New York. Sources previously told PEOPLE that the arrest took place at a New York City hotel.
Combs’ attorney Marc Agnifilo told reporters outside the courthouse on Tuesday that the star would fight the charges “with all his energy.”
“He’s going to plead not guilty, obviously,” Agnifilo added.
In the 14-page indictment, prosecutors allege that the music producer coerced multiple women into performing “elaborate and produced sex performances” with sex workers and characterized the events as “freak offs.”
In addition to orchestrating and directing the “freak offs,” Combs would record the gatherings and masturbate while watching the events unfold, prosecutors allege.
Federal authorities raided Combs’ homes in Miami and L.A. in March after several lawsuits alleging sexual abuse were filed against Combs.
In November of last year, singer Cassie sued him in New York, accusing him of raping her throughout their decade-long relationship. The lawsuit was settled one day following the filing.
PEOPLE is at the courthouse to cover Tuesday’s developments live. Follow along in the updates below.
Diddy Pleads Not Guilty: ‘He’s Going to Fight This with All of His Energy’
According to multiple reports, Combs pleaded not guilty on Tuesday afternoon.
On Tuesday morning, while speaking outside of the federal courthouse in Manhattan, his defense attorney Marc Agnifilo said his client would plead not guilty, adding, “He’s going to fight this with all of his energy and all of his might and the full confidence of his lawyers and I expect a long battle with a good result for Mr. Combs.”
Indictment References Diddy’s Nicknames: ‘a/k/a Puff Daddy’
The indictment against Combs lays out the sex crimes allegations against him. It also references the many nicknames he has used.
“For decades, SEAN COMBS, a/k/a ‘Puff Daddy,’ a/k/a ‘P. Diddy,’ a/k/a ‘Diddy,’ a/k/a ‘PD,’ a/k/a ‘Love,’ the defendant, abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct,” it begins.
These nicknames are referenced nearly 20 more times in the indictment.
Defense Proposes $50 Million Bond; Prosecutors Want Diddy Jailed: ‘The Defendant Is Dangerous’
Diddy’s defense attorneys have proposed a bail package that includes a $50,000 bond. As part of the package, his travel would be restricted to New York and South Florida.
But prosecutors have asked the judge overseeing Combs’ case to deny him bail and keep him jailed.
Prosecutors wrote in a motion to United States Magistrate that “the defendant is dangerous and poses an ongoing threat to the safety of the community. If released, he remains a serious risk of flight, despite the conditions offered by his counsel. Most glaringly, the defendant also poses a significant risk of obstructing justice.”
Prosecutors alleged in the motion that Combs “has attempted to bribe security staff and threatened and interfered with witnesses to his criminal conduct. He has already tried to obstruct the Government’s investigation of this case, repeatedly contacting victims and witnesses and feeding them false narratives of events, as described in detail below.”
Diddy’s Son Seen Reading Indictment in Courtroom
Shortly after arriving in Manhattan’s federal court Tuesday morning, Sean “Diddy” Combs’ oldest son, Christian “King” Combs, made his way with a group of seven men to the fifth floor arraignment room, where they each requested a copy of the indictment.
Seated in an orange chair in the arraignment room and surrounded by the other men, the younger Combs was seen reading the 14-page indictment outlining the allegations. Each of the men silently leafed through their own paper copy of the indictment.
Source: People
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