Federal appeals court judge William J. Nardini has ruled to keep Sean “Diddy” Combs locked up as he awaits trial in his sex trafficking case. Combs, a 54-year-old hip-hop mogul, has been held at a federal jail in Brooklyn since his arrest on charges of using his influence to coerce female victims into sexual performances with male sex workers at events called “Freak Offs.”
Combs has pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges, which allege that he abused women for years with the help of associates and employees. At a recent bail hearing, a judge rejected a $50 million bail proposal that would have allowed Combs to be placed under house arrest at his Florida mansion with GPS monitoring.
Combs’ lawyers have appealed the decision to deny bail, arguing that he is not a flight risk and should be released due to his status as a successful artist, businessman, and philanthropist. The new trial judge, Arun Subramanian, has indicated that he may consider the issue of bail in the future.
While Combs’ lawyers have stated that he is doing fine in jail, they have also expressed that nobody is happy with the situation. The Metropolitan Detention Center where Combs is being held has a history of violence and dysfunction, but his lawyers have said that they are making the best of the situation.
The trial is set to begin on May 5, and Combs will remain in jail until then unless a new decision is made regarding his bail. The case has garnered significant attention due to Combs’ celebrity status and the serious nature of the charges against him.