US rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is accused of sex trafficking and extortion, must be remanded in custody. The judge in charge of the federal court in Manhattan refused to release him on bail on Tuesday. The judge ordered that the 54-year-old rapper and music producer must remain in custody until his trial. His lawyers intend to appeal the decision.
P. Diddy used power for physical and sexual abuse
Combs was arrested in New York on Monday evening. The rapper has been charged with several crimes, in which he is described as a violent sex offender who uses alcohol and drugs to exploit his victims. Combs denies the allegations.
According to the indictment, Combs has spent decades “abusing, threatening and coercing women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation and conceal his actions.” The 54-year-old used his “empire” in the music business to achieve his goals and established a “criminal enterprise” to engage in “sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson and bribery, among other things.”
The prosecution accuses the rapper of verbally, physically and sexually abusing women in a recurring pattern. Since 2009, he has attacked women “by hitting, punching, dragging, throwing objects at and kicking them, among other things.”
US rapper Combs denies all allegations
Combs pleaded not guilty in court on Tuesday. His lawyer asked Judge Robyn Tarnofsky to release him on bail. However, the prosecution pointed to a flight risk and possible witness tampering.
Judge Tarnofsky ultimately refused to release the rapper, citing the “power imbalance” between the plaintiffs and the defendant. Some of those involved in the case had already been “coerced”. The judge also expressed concern that Combs was prone to outbursts of anger, violence and drug abuse.
Combs, who appeared in court wearing a black T-shirt, grey sweatpants and sneakers, appeared unmoved by the remand. Several of the rapper’s family members also attended the court hearing.
Surveillance footage shows P. Diddy abusing ex-girlfriend
Combs, known by the stage names Puff Daddy, P. Diddy and Diddy, rose to become one of the most successful hip-hop musicians in the world in the 1990s. The three-time winner of the US Grammy music award is also successful as a music producer and businessman.
In May, CNN released footage from a hotel surveillance camera showing Combs hitting his then-girlfriend Casandra Ventura, dragging her behind him and kicking her.
