A federal appeals court judge has decided to keep Sean “Diddy” Combs detained as he prepares to make another attempt for bail regarding his sex trafficking charges, with the trial scheduled for May.
On Friday, Circuit Judge William J. Nardini issued a ruling that denied Combs’ request for immediate release from jail as a three-judge panel reviews his bail petition.
Combs, aged 54, has been incarcerated at a federal facility in Brooklyn since his arrest on September 16 for allegations that he exploited his celebrity status to lure women into drugged and orchestrated sexual encounters with male sex workers, dubbed “Freak Offs.”
He has entered a not guilty plea to the charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, which accuse him of coercing and abusing women over several years. These actions purportedly involved a network of associates and staff who helped silence victims using tactics such as blackmail, violence, kidnapping, arson, and physical assaults.
During a bail hearing held three weeks ago, a judge dismissed Combs’ defense team’s proposed $50 million bail arrangement. This plan would have allowed him to remain under house arrest at his Florida estate with GPS monitoring and strict visitation regulations.
Judge Andrew L. Carter Jr., who has since stepped back from the case, indicated that the prosecution provided “clear and convincing evidence” demonstrating that Combs poses a risk to the public. He asserted that “no condition or set of conditions” could ensure against the possibility of Combs jeopardizing the investigation or intimidating witnesses.
In their appeal, Combs’ legal team claimed the judge had accepted the government’s exaggerated concerns and had ordered Combs’ detention for “purely speculative reasons.”
They emphasized that Combs is a 54-year-old father of seven, a U.S. citizen, a tremendously successful artist, businessman, and a globally recognizable figure, which diminishes the perceived flight risk.
So far, Combs’ lawyers have not requested that the new trial judge, Arun Subramanian, consider his release on bail. During a recent hearing, Subramanian indicated that he might be willing to address the bail situation.
After establishing a trial date of May 5, Subramanian inquired briefly about Combs’ conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center, known for its history of violence and operational issues.
Combs’ attorney Mark Agnifilo, who previously sought to relocate him to a facility in New Jersey, stated, “We’re making a go of the MDC. The MDC has been very responsive for us.”
Another member of Combs’ legal team, Anthony Ricco, spoke to reporters after the court session, noting, “He’s doing fine. It’s a difficult circumstance. He’s making the best of the situation.”
However, Ricco expressed that “Nobody’s OK with staying in jail for now,” highlighting the overall dissatisfaction with Combs’ current conditions of detention.
