Renowned rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs will remain incarcerated as a judge rejected his bail appeal on Wednesday, keeping him behind bars while awaiting trial on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking.
Judge Andrew Carter ruled that the proposed bail package, which included a $50 million bond backed by Combs’ Miami residence, was insufficient due to his history of violent behaviour and potential risk of witness interference.
“Your lawyer asked us to trust you.
“I don’t know that you can trust yourself,” Judge Robyn Tarnofsky told the rapper, highlighting the nature of the alleged offences, alongside the artist’s history of substance abuse and anger management problems.
Following the ruling, Combs’ legal representative, Marc Agnifilo, expressed disappointment but vowed to persist in seeking his release. Agnifilo stressed that Combs maintains his innocence and described the conditions of his imprisonment as “inhumane.”
The 54-year-old music icon faces multiple charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transporting victims across state lines for prostitution. The charges are a sharp contrast to his decades-long career as a dominant figure in hip-hop and entertainment.
Prosecutors argue that Combs orchestrated a criminal enterprise that exploited women, forcing them into sexual acts through threats, intimidation, and violence. Evidence includes a video from 2016 showing him assaulting then-girlfriend Cassandra Ventura, which Combs allegedly attempted to cover up by bribing security personnel.
The prosecution drew parallels between Combs and other notorious figures convicted of similar crimes, such as Jeffrey Epstein and R. Kelly, reinforcing the gravity of the accusations.
Despite the severe charges, Combs’ legal team portrayed him as a family man wrongly targeted due to his fame, insisting the relationships were consensual.
However, the judge pointed to his past behaviour and ongoing risks in rejecting the bail plea, leaving Combs to await trial from behind bars.