A New York judge has ruled that Sean “Diddy” Combs must stay in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn as he awaits his trial in May on charges of sex trafficking. This decision marks another failed attempt by Combs’ attorneys to secure his release on bail.
Key Details:
During a pretrial hearing on Thursday, Judge Arun Subramanian set Combs’ trial date for May 5, agreeing with his defense team’s request for a trial in spring. The judge reaffirmed that Combs will remain detained at the Brooklyn facility, where he has been held since his September 16 arrest on charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and transporting individuals for the purpose of prostitution. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
This latest ruling follows multiple unsuccessful bail attempts by Combs’ legal team. On September 30, his attorneys appealed to the Second Circuit Court to overturn the denial, citing what they described as “horrific” jail conditions. In response, the court upheld the initial decision by U.S. District Judge Andrew Carter, who had previously rejected a $50 million bail offer, house arrest, and visitor restrictions.
Combs appeared in court for the first time since his arrest, joined by his mother, Janice Combs, and his children. His mother recently defended him publicly, posting a lengthy statement on Instagram.
Background:
Federal agents raided Combs’ Florida and California homes in March as part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation. Following his September arrest in Manhattan, prosecutors accused Combs of coercive and abusive behavior, using his influence to fulfill his sexual desires and maintain his reputation. Combs’ legal team filed a memo this week alleging that prosecutors leaked surveillance footage to CNN, a claim prosecutors denied, calling it a defense tactic to discredit damaging evidence.
Additional Lawsuits:
Alongside the criminal charges, Combs faces multiple civil lawsuits. Notably, in 2023, his ex-girlfriend, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, sued him for $30 million, accusing him of rape and years of abuse. Since then, other lawsuits have surfaced, with accusers claiming sexual misconduct and abuse at the hands of Combs and his associates. Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee announced he represents 120 additional accusers who plan to file civil suits against Combs across several states.
