Sean 'Diddy' Combs pleads not guilty to sex trafficking; judge denies bail

The Star

Sean "Diddy" Combs was denied bail for a second time on Wednesday (Sept 18) after the rapper and music mogul was arrested on sex trafficking and racketeering charges.  Read more at https://tinyurl.com/yy6h2pmn  WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline

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00:00Sean Diddy Combs was denied bail for a second time on Wednesday after the rapper and music

00:08mogul was arrested on sex trafficking and racketeering charges.

00:13Prosecutors on Tuesday alleged Combs of using his fame to coerce women into demeaning sexual

00:18acts as part of a long-running criminal scheme.

00:21The 54-year-old pleaded not guilty in Manhattan federal court after a 14-page indictment was

00:27unsealed.

00:29U.S. Magistrate Judge Robin Tarnofsky denied Combs bail, agreeing to the prosecution's

00:35request for his continued detention following his arrest on Monday.

00:39Prosecutors allege that Combs used his business empire, including Bad Boy Entertainment, to

00:45transport women and male sex workers across state lines for

00:49freak-off events, in which he would watch and masturbate during recorded sexual performances.

00:55Combs' lawyer, Mark Agnifilo, argued that the activities were consensual.

01:01If convicted of the three felony charges—racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation

01:07for prostitution—Combs faces up to life in prison, with a minimum sentence of 15 years.

01:14Prosecutors claim Combs lured women with drugs like ketamine and ecstasy, financial support,

01:20or promises of career advancement or a romantic relationship, later using recordings of the

01:26acts to blackmail them into silence.

01:28He allegedly intimidated victims and witnesses by displaying weapons.

01:33The indictment does not specify how many women were involved, nor does it accuse Combs of

01:38directly engaging in unwanted sexual contact, though he is charged with physical assault,

01:43including punching, kicking, and throwing objects.

01:46Prosecutors further allege that Combs and his associates used bribery, arson, and kidnapping

01:51to cover up his actions.

01:53Agnifilo intends to appeal the bail decision at a hearing before U.S. District Judge Andrew Carter.

02:00Known as P. Diddy and Puff Daddy, Combs founded Bad Boy Records and is credited with launching

02:06the careers of artists like Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Notorious B.I.G., and Usher.

02:16For more UN videos visit www.un.org

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