Diddy Loses Bail Appeal, Judge Cites Possibility He Will Tamper With Witnesses in Trafficking Case

Diddy and his legal team attended a bond hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 18, and the rapper and music executive will remain detained.

Diddy has lost his bail appeal, stating that the government has proved he is a danger. Prosecutors argued that Diddy could not be trusted if he were released because he had allegedly tried to coerce potential witnesses against coming forward against him, including one that he was aware was a grand jury witness. Prior to the hearing, Diddy forfeited his passport to his legal team.

On Monday, Sept. 16, Diddy was taken into federal custody and held at the FBI's field office in Manhattan. At the time of his arrest, the indictment was sealed. On Tuesday, the indictment was unsealed and revealed that Diddy was arrested on sex trafficking and racketeering charges. He was accused of running "a criminal enterprise" and having “abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct.”

He has pleaded not guilty and initially offered a $50 million bail package. As part of his proposed deal, he offered up his $48 million mansion in Miami and his mother's $2 million home in Miami as collateral. He also said that he would restrict his travel to New York, New Jersey, and Florida ahead of his trial and offered to wear a GPS monitor so police know where he is at all times.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky denied his bail and said that he was a flight risk and could potentially intimidate witnesses if released. His legal team later proposed he should be released on $50 million bail on the condition that he not be permitted any female visitors as he awaits trial, not including his family or the mothers of his children.

If convicted, he could face 25 years or longer behind bars. Diddy's attorney Marc Agnifilo said that he believed the arrest of his client was "unjust" and insisted on his innocence.

"We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said Agnifilo in a statement shared with Complex. “Sean 'Diddy' Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to uplift the Black community.”

The indictment mentioned Diddy's alleged "Freak Offs," a phrase that was mentioned in the several lawsuits filed against Diddy, which started with a since-settled case filed by his ex-girlfriend Cassie.

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The so-called "Freak Offs" have been described in the unsealed indictment as being made possible through "coercion" and "threats of force." Alleged victims were subjected to "extended sex acts with male commercial sex workers." Substances were also said to be given to the victims to keep them "obedient and compliant." Hotel rooms used for these "Freak Offs" were stocked with supplies that included controlled substances, baby oil, lubricant, linens, and lighting.

Searches of Diddy's properties in March saw the seizure of some of these supplies, including narcotics and "more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant." Alleged victims were also reportedly given IV fluids to "recover from the physical exertion and drug use."