NOTE: The next article comprises disturbing content material. Please learn at your individual discretion.
Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested Monday night time and indicted on federal intercourse trafficking and racketeering costs that accuse him of hitting and abusing girls for over a decade and presiding over an empire of sexual crimes.
In a federal indictment unsealed Tuesday, Combs was charged with racketeering, intercourse trafficking and transportation to have interaction in prostitution. The fees are tied to so-called “freak offs,” coerced intercourse acts that Combs allegedly orchestrated and recorded.
Standing to talk, after listening to the allegations whereas displaying little response, his uncuffed arms folded in his lap, Combs pleaded not responsible.
The choose denied Combs bail and ordered he be despatched to jail whereas awaiting path.
In deciding to disclaim Combs bail, Choose Robyn F. Tarnofsky stated she has “very important issues” about Combs’ substance abuse and “what seems to be anger points.”
Tarnofsky stated she thought-about options however doesn’t assume it’s ample as a result of a lot of what’s alleged occurred behind closed doorways.
Earlier, Combs provided to submit a US$50 million bond to be launched from custody and in addition provided to put on a GPS monitor whereas limiting journey to New York Metropolis and Miami, in response to a proposed bail package deal filed by his defence workforce.
Detailing allegations relationship again to 2009, the indictment accuses him of abusing, threatening and coercing girls for years “to meet his sexual wishes, defend his repute, and conceal his conduct.”
U.S. Legal professional Damian Williams, whose workplace is bringing the case, spoke concerning the allegations in opposition to Combs at a information convention Tuesday morning, mentioning the “freak offs” not less than 5 instances in beneath 20 minutes.
“Combs allegedly deliberate and managed the intercourse performances, which he known as ‘freak offs’ and he typically electronically recorded them,” Williams advised reporters, saying that federal prosecutors claimed they seized greater than 1,000 bottles of non-public lubricant and child oil from Combs’ property and that these had been used within the intercourse acts.
“The ‘freak offs’ generally lasted days at a time, concerned a number of business intercourse staff, and infrequently concerned quite a lot of narcotics comparable to ketamine, ecstasy and GHB, which Combs distributed to the victims to maintain them obedient and compliant,” Williams defined.
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Combs can also be accused of hitting, kicking and throwing objects at victims, inflicting accidents that always took weeks to heal. It’s additionally alleged that he choked his victims, dragged them by their hair and threw folks round.
Marc Agnifilo, lawyer for Sean “Diddy” Combs, centre, speaks to members of the media whereas arriving at courtroom in New York, US, on Tuesday, Sep. 17, 2024.
Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg through Getty Pictures
Standing in entrance of a show board, Williams additionally shared photos of among the gadgets authorities say had been recovered within the searches, together with AR-15s and a drum journal containing dozens of rounds of ammunition.
Williams stated two of the three AR-15s had been taken from Combs’ bed room closet in his Miami house, and had been damaged down into elements. He stated the serial numbers on the weapons had been obscured.
“To hold out this conduct, Sean Combs led and took part in a racketeering conspiracy that used the enterprise empire he managed to hold out felony exercise, together with intercourse trafficking, compelled labour, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and the obstruction of justice,” Williams stated in remarks that echoed the three-count indictment.
The indictment alleges that, unbeknownst to his victims, Combs would generally preserve movies he filmed of the ladies participating in intercourse acts. Combs used the recordings “as collateral to make sure the continued obedience and silence of the victims,” the indictment stated.
As the specter of felony costs loomed, Combs and his associates additionally pressured witnesses and victims to remain silent by trying to bribe them and offering them with a false narrative of occasions, in response to the indictment.
Prosecutors additionally stated that Combs’ staff and associates had been witness to the violence and wicked acts, however typically labored with the rap star to assist cowl up his crimes, together with stopping victims from leaving, or monitoring down people who tried to flee.
Additionally they allege that Combs’ staff helped their boss pull off the “freak offs” by reserving resort rooms, arranging journey and stocking the rooms with lubricants, linens and lighting, IV fluids and illicit medicine. Prosecutors stated staff would clear the rooms when the intercourse acts, which may final days, had been completed.
Christian Combs, son of Sean Combs, arrives at U.S. District Courtroom on September 17, 2024 in New York Metropolis. Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested in Manhattan on September 16 in a intercourse trafficking probe following a federal indictment.
John Lamparski/Getty Pictures
In a single such 2012 incident, held inside a Manhattan resort, Combs needed to pay greater than “$46,000 to cowl damages to a penthouse room following a freak off,” the prosecution stated.
Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, addressed the indictment and arrest of his consumer earlier Tuesday, telling reporters that Combs wouldn’t plead responsible and insisted upon his innocence.
“Clearly, he’s going to battle this with all of his vitality and all of his may and the total confidence of his legal professionals,” stated Agnifilo. “And I count on an extended battle with a superb outcome for Mr. Combs.”
Over the previous 12 months, Combs has been sued by a number of folks who say he subjected them to bodily or sexual abuse.
— With information from The Related Press
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In case you or somebody you recognize is experiencing abuse or is concerned in an abusive scenario, please go to the Canadian Useful resource Centre for Victims of Crime for assist. They’re additionally reachable toll-free at 1-877-232-2610.
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