Here's Why The Feds Say Diddy is 'Too Dangerous' to Be Granted Bond

Diddy's bond hearing for his federal indictment did NOT go well for him...

17 Sep 2024, 18:45 by Kalyn Womack · The Root

Photo: Scott Dudelson (Getty Images)

Updated as of 9/17/2024 at 5:10 p.m. ET

A federal judge has denied Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs bail in a hearing Tuesday, confirming that he will remain in federal custody upon the indictment he received Monday.

Prosecutors Say Diddy is ‘Dangerous’ and ‘Flight Risk’

In a 16-page letter to the U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of New York, federal prosecutors argued the allegations, most of which are echoed in the indictment, prove Combs to be “too dangerous” to be granted bond ahead of his legal proceedings.

The 14-page indictment released Tuesday charged Combs with federal counts of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage prostitutes.

The charges comes months after a series of scathing lawsuits came against Combs filed by ex-girlfriend and singer Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura, record producer Lil Rod and, most recently, Danity Kane member Dawn Richard, court documents show.

Across the suits are repeated allegations of physical abuse, soliciting minors and sex workers, distributing drugs and various methods of sexual violence. The trafficking allegations resulted in a raid of the rapper’s mansions where federal officials discovered three AR-15s, more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant; and hundreds of home surveillance cameras in each of his properties, officials said in a Tuesday press conference.

Read more from the letter:

The Government respectfully submits this letter in anticipation of the defendant’s appearance before this Court later today and in support of the Government’s request for the defendant’s detention pending trial. As set forth below, there is no condition, or combination of conditions, that will reasonably assure the appearance of the defendant as required and the safety of others and the community, not to mention the integrity of the proceedings. As reflected by the gravity of the charges in the Indictment, the defendant is dangerous and poses an ongoing threat to the safety of the community. If released, he remains a serious risk of flight, despite the conditions offered by his counsel. Most glaringly, the defendant also poses a significant risk of obstructing justice.

Indeed, and as set forth below, during the course of the charged conduct, the defendant has attempted to bribe security staff and threatened and interfered with witnesses to his criminal conduct. He has already tried to obstruct the Government’s investigation of this case, repeatedly contacting victims and witnesses and feeding them false narratives of events, as described in detail below. There are simply no conditions that would ensure that the defendant’s efforts to obstruct and tamper with witnesses will stop. The defendant therefore cannot overcome the statutory presumption in favor of detention, and the Court should order him detained.

The prosecutors cited the allegations of Combs hosting “Freak Off” sex parties where he was alleged to coerce participation from sex workers and other participants. Also cited was the discovery of the firearms and allegations of physical abuse against previous romantic partners.

Despite the defense’s proposal, prosecutors argued the conditions were “insufficient” because the proposed provisions did not account for his access to electronics, financial information and other resources that would help him “evade prosecution.”

Here's Why The Feds Say Diddy is 'Too Dangerous' to Be Granted Bond

Diddy's bond hearing for his federal indictment did NOT go well for him...

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Prosecutors Say Diddy is ‘Dangerous’ and ‘Flight Risk’