Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, who was arrested Monday night, has pleaded not guilty to a series of serious charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation for the purpose of prostitution. The hip-hop mogul appeared in a Lower Manhattan court on Tuesday, where the judge ruled that he will remain in custody without bail.
Diddy Pleads Not Guilty in Court
Diddy, who was arrested at a New York City hotel, faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted. His attorney, Mark Agnifilo, spoke during a press conference, stating, “Mr. Combs is a fighter… he’s not afraid of the charges. He’s been looking forward to this day and clearing his name. He didn’t do these things.” Earlier in the investigation, authorities raided Diddy’s homes in Miami and Los Angeles, uncovering over 1,000 bottles of lubricant, various narcotics, and three AR-15 rifles.
The unsealed indictment alleges that Diddy “abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his actions” over many years. The document claims that these actions were part of a larger criminal enterprise involved in sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice.
Diddy’s “Freak Offs”
The indictment also describes multiple sex gatherings, referred to as “Freak Offs,” allegedly organized by Combs and members of his inner circle, including high-ranking employees, household staff, and security personnel. The documents claim that during these events, Diddy subjected victims to physical, emotional, and verbal abuse, with reports stating he “hit, kicked, threw objects at, and dragged victims by their hair.” These encounters, the indictment states, often resulted in injuries that took weeks to heal.
It further alleges that Combs maintained control over his victims through physical violence, false promises of career advancement, financial manipulation, and coercion, including monitoring their whereabouts, medical records, and even their appearance, while also supplying them with controlled substances.
Diddy’s Attorney Responds to the Arrest
Mark Agnifilo, Diddy’s attorney, strongly condemned the arrest, calling it an “unjust prosecution” by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He praised his client as a “music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and philanthropist,” and emphasized Diddy’s contributions to the Black community over the past three decades.
Agnifilo acknowledged that Diddy might be an “imperfect person” but insisted he is not a criminal. He highlighted Diddy’s cooperation throughout the investigation, stating, “Mr. Combs voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges” and urged the public to withhold judgment until all facts are revealed.
He concluded by reaffirming Diddy’s innocence, stating, “These are the actions of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court.” Currently, Diddy faces eight lawsuits accusing him of assault, rape, and other allegations.
