Judge denies Diddy's pre-sentencing release from jail
Combs' lawyers had asked US District Judge Arun Subramanian on July 29 to release Combs on $US50 million ($A77 million) bond, saying conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn were dangerous and other defendants convicted of prostitution-related charges similar to Combs' were usually released before sentencing.
In a written ruling on Monday, the judge said Combs' arguments "might have traction in a case that didn't involve evidence of violence, coercion or subjugation in connection with the acts of prostitution at issue, but the record here contains evidence of all three".
Subramanian said his decision did not foreshadow what sentence he might impose against Combs, who has been jailed at the MDC since his September 2024 arrest.
Combs' lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Prosecutors with the Manhattan US Attorney's office in an August 1 filing said staffing, medical services and conditions at the MDC had improved since Combs' arrest, and evidence of Combs' physical violence presented at trial showed he remained a danger to the community.
Combs, 55, was found not guilty on July 2 of three counts of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, and convicted on two lesser charges of transportation to engage in prostitution.
Prosecutors alleged Combs forced two former girlfriends to participate in days-long, drug-fuelled sexual performances with male sex workers sometimes called "freak-offs." Defence lawyers said the women were willing participants.
Each prostitution charge carries a maximum 10-year sentence, but prosecutors have acknowledged that federal sentencing guidelines appear to recommend a sentence of at most five years and three months total.
Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, pleaded not guilty to all counts. The trial lasted seven weeks. Subramanian denied Combs' initial request for release immediately after the verdict, citing the ample evidence presented at trial of violent acts he committed.
Sean "Diddy" Combs has lost his bid to be released from jail ahead of his October 3 sentencing, despite a jury having found the hip-hop mogul not guilty of the most serious charges at his sex crimes trial.
Combs' lawyers had asked US District Judge Arun Subramanian on July 29 to release Combs on $US50 million ($A77 million) bond, saying conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn were dangerous and other defendants convicted of prostitution-related charges similar to Combs' were usually released before sentencing.
In a written ruling on Monday, the judge said Combs' arguments "might have traction in a case that didn't involve evidence of violence, coercion or subjugation in connection with the acts of prostitution at issue, but the record here contains evidence of all three".
Subramanian said his decision did not foreshadow what sentence he might impose against Combs, who has been jailed at the MDC since his September 2024 arrest.
Combs' lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Prosecutors with the Manhattan US Attorney's office in an August 1 filing said staffing, medical services and conditions at the MDC had improved since Combs' arrest, and evidence of Combs' physical violence presented at trial showed he remained a danger to the community.
Combs, 55, was found not guilty on July 2 of three counts of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, and convicted on two lesser charges of transportation to engage in prostitution.
Prosecutors alleged Combs forced two former girlfriends to participate in days-long, drug-fuelled sexual performances with male sex workers sometimes called "freak-offs." Defence lawyers said the women were willing participants.
Each prostitution charge carries a maximum 10-year sentence, but prosecutors have acknowledged that federal sentencing guidelines appear to recommend a sentence of at most five years and three months total.
Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, pleaded not guilty to all counts. The trial lasted seven weeks. Subramanian denied Combs' initial request for release immediately after the verdict, citing the ample evidence presented at trial of violent acts he committed.
Sean "Diddy" Combs has lost his bid to be released from jail ahead of his October 3 sentencing, despite a jury having found the hip-hop mogul not guilty of the most serious charges at his sex crimes trial.
Combs' lawyers had asked US District Judge Arun Subramanian on July 29 to release Combs on $US50 million ($A77 million) bond, saying conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn were dangerous and other defendants convicted of prostitution-related charges similar to Combs' were usually released before sentencing.
In a written ruling on Monday, the judge said Combs' arguments "might have traction in a case that didn't involve evidence of violence, coercion or subjugation in connection with the acts of prostitution at issue, but the record here contains evidence of all three".
Subramanian said his decision did not foreshadow what sentence he might impose against Combs, who has been jailed at the MDC since his September 2024 arrest.
Combs' lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Prosecutors with the Manhattan US Attorney's office in an August 1 filing said staffing, medical services and conditions at the MDC had improved since Combs' arrest, and evidence of Combs' physical violence presented at trial showed he remained a danger to the community.
Combs, 55, was found not guilty on July 2 of three counts of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, and convicted on two lesser charges of transportation to engage in prostitution.
Prosecutors alleged Combs forced two former girlfriends to participate in days-long, drug-fuelled sexual performances with male sex workers sometimes called "freak-offs." Defence lawyers said the women were willing participants.
Each prostitution charge carries a maximum 10-year sentence, but prosecutors have acknowledged that federal sentencing guidelines appear to recommend a sentence of at most five years and three months total.
Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, pleaded not guilty to all counts. The trial lasted seven weeks. Subramanian denied Combs' initial request for release immediately after the verdict, citing the ample evidence presented at trial of violent acts he committed.
Sean "Diddy" Combs has lost his bid to be released from jail ahead of his October 3 sentencing, despite a jury having found the hip-hop mogul not guilty of the most serious charges at his sex crimes trial.
Combs' lawyers had asked US District Judge Arun Subramanian on July 29 to release Combs on $US50 million ($A77 million) bond, saying conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn were dangerous and other defendants convicted of prostitution-related charges similar to Combs' were usually released before sentencing.
In a written ruling on Monday, the judge said Combs' arguments "might have traction in a case that didn't involve evidence of violence, coercion or subjugation in connection with the acts of prostitution at issue, but the record here contains evidence of all three".
Subramanian said his decision did not foreshadow what sentence he might impose against Combs, who has been jailed at the MDC since his September 2024 arrest.
Combs' lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Prosecutors with the Manhattan US Attorney's office in an August 1 filing said staffing, medical services and conditions at the MDC had improved since Combs' arrest, and evidence of Combs' physical violence presented at trial showed he remained a danger to the community.
Combs, 55, was found not guilty on July 2 of three counts of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, and convicted on two lesser charges of transportation to engage in prostitution.
Prosecutors alleged Combs forced two former girlfriends to participate in days-long, drug-fuelled sexual performances with male sex workers sometimes called "freak-offs." Defence lawyers said the women were willing participants.
Each prostitution charge carries a maximum 10-year sentence, but prosecutors have acknowledged that federal sentencing guidelines appear to recommend a sentence of at most five years and three months total.
Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, pleaded not guilty to all counts. The trial lasted seven weeks. Subramanian denied Combs' initial request for release immediately after the verdict, citing the ample evidence presented at trial of violent acts he committed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
12 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Sean 'Diddy' Combs seeks Trump pardon, lawyer confirms
Sean "Diddy" Combs' legal team has "reached out" to US President Donald Trump seeking a pardon after his conviction on prostitution-related offences. The 55-year-old US music mogul is behind bars after being found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and ahead of his sentencing on October 3. The confirmation the Trump administration has been approached was reported by CNN in an interview with defence team member Nicole Westmoreland. Westmoreland told CNN: "It's my understanding that we've reached out and had conversations in reference to a pardon." The Bad Boy Records founder is optimistic about his chances of a pardon. Asked how he feels about the possibility, Westmoreland said: "(Combs) is a very hopeful person and I believe that he remains hopeful." A White House official said they would "not comment on the existence or non-existence of any clemency request." However, Trump, 79, recently admitted he would find it "difficult" to pardon Combs because the rapper was "very hostile" towards him. Speaking to Newsmax, he said: "Well, he was essentially, I guess, sort of half-innocent. (He's) still in jail or something, but he was celebrating a victory. But I guess it wasn't as good of a victory... "I was very friendly with him. I got along with him great, and (he) seemed like a nice guy. I didn't know him well. But when I ran for office, he was very hostile. "It's hard, you know? We're human beings. And we don't like to have things cloud our judgment, right? But when you knew someone and you were fine, and then you run for office, and he made some terrible statements. " So I don't know …. it makes it more difficult to do." In May, Trump insisted he wouldn't let people's personal opinions of him cloud his judgement when it came to a pardon. The president said of Combs: "I haven't seen him, I haven't spoken to him in years. He used to really like me a lot, but I think when I ran for politics, that relationship busted up. I read some little bit nasty statements in the paper all of a sudden." Of a potential pardon, he added: "I would certainly look at the facts. If I think somebody is mistreated, whether they like me or don't like me, it wouldn't have any impact on me." Despite their previous friendliness, Combs argued in 2020 that Trump should be "banished". "White men like Trump need to be banished. That way of thinking is real dangerous. This man literally threatened the lives of us and our families about going to vote... ," he told Charlamagne tha God. "The number one priority is to get Trump out of office." Combs was arrested in September 2024 and has since been held at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, awaiting sentencing. He was convicted of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution - for arranging for women and male sex workers to travel to engage in sexual encounters he filmed. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years. The judge presiding over the trial, Arun Subramanian, denied Combs bail after the verdict, citing Combs' admitted past violence towards two ex-girlfriends and deeming him a risk to society. Meanwhile, Combs has described conditions at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Centre as "inhumane" in a new appeal for bail ahead of his October sentencing. His lawyer Marc Agnifilo, submitted a brief letter to Judge Arun Subramanian requesting Combs' release from the facility where he has been held since his arrest in September 2024. In the filing, obtained by Page Six, Agnifilo claimed: "MDC routinely serves food that is expired or infested with maggots." with agencies ---------------- 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Sean "Diddy" Combs' legal team has "reached out" to US President Donald Trump seeking a pardon after his conviction on prostitution-related offences. The 55-year-old US music mogul is behind bars after being found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and ahead of his sentencing on October 3. The confirmation the Trump administration has been approached was reported by CNN in an interview with defence team member Nicole Westmoreland. Westmoreland told CNN: "It's my understanding that we've reached out and had conversations in reference to a pardon." The Bad Boy Records founder is optimistic about his chances of a pardon. Asked how he feels about the possibility, Westmoreland said: "(Combs) is a very hopeful person and I believe that he remains hopeful." A White House official said they would "not comment on the existence or non-existence of any clemency request." However, Trump, 79, recently admitted he would find it "difficult" to pardon Combs because the rapper was "very hostile" towards him. Speaking to Newsmax, he said: "Well, he was essentially, I guess, sort of half-innocent. (He's) still in jail or something, but he was celebrating a victory. But I guess it wasn't as good of a victory... "I was very friendly with him. I got along with him great, and (he) seemed like a nice guy. I didn't know him well. But when I ran for office, he was very hostile. "It's hard, you know? We're human beings. And we don't like to have things cloud our judgment, right? But when you knew someone and you were fine, and then you run for office, and he made some terrible statements. " So I don't know …. it makes it more difficult to do." In May, Trump insisted he wouldn't let people's personal opinions of him cloud his judgement when it came to a pardon. The president said of Combs: "I haven't seen him, I haven't spoken to him in years. He used to really like me a lot, but I think when I ran for politics, that relationship busted up. I read some little bit nasty statements in the paper all of a sudden." Of a potential pardon, he added: "I would certainly look at the facts. If I think somebody is mistreated, whether they like me or don't like me, it wouldn't have any impact on me." Despite their previous friendliness, Combs argued in 2020 that Trump should be "banished". "White men like Trump need to be banished. That way of thinking is real dangerous. This man literally threatened the lives of us and our families about going to vote... ," he told Charlamagne tha God. "The number one priority is to get Trump out of office." Combs was arrested in September 2024 and has since been held at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, awaiting sentencing. He was convicted of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution - for arranging for women and male sex workers to travel to engage in sexual encounters he filmed. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years. The judge presiding over the trial, Arun Subramanian, denied Combs bail after the verdict, citing Combs' admitted past violence towards two ex-girlfriends and deeming him a risk to society. Meanwhile, Combs has described conditions at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Centre as "inhumane" in a new appeal for bail ahead of his October sentencing. His lawyer Marc Agnifilo, submitted a brief letter to Judge Arun Subramanian requesting Combs' release from the facility where he has been held since his arrest in September 2024. In the filing, obtained by Page Six, Agnifilo claimed: "MDC routinely serves food that is expired or infested with maggots." with agencies ---------------- 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Sean "Diddy" Combs' legal team has "reached out" to US President Donald Trump seeking a pardon after his conviction on prostitution-related offences. The 55-year-old US music mogul is behind bars after being found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and ahead of his sentencing on October 3. The confirmation the Trump administration has been approached was reported by CNN in an interview with defence team member Nicole Westmoreland. Westmoreland told CNN: "It's my understanding that we've reached out and had conversations in reference to a pardon." The Bad Boy Records founder is optimistic about his chances of a pardon. Asked how he feels about the possibility, Westmoreland said: "(Combs) is a very hopeful person and I believe that he remains hopeful." A White House official said they would "not comment on the existence or non-existence of any clemency request." However, Trump, 79, recently admitted he would find it "difficult" to pardon Combs because the rapper was "very hostile" towards him. Speaking to Newsmax, he said: "Well, he was essentially, I guess, sort of half-innocent. (He's) still in jail or something, but he was celebrating a victory. But I guess it wasn't as good of a victory... "I was very friendly with him. I got along with him great, and (he) seemed like a nice guy. I didn't know him well. But when I ran for office, he was very hostile. "It's hard, you know? We're human beings. And we don't like to have things cloud our judgment, right? But when you knew someone and you were fine, and then you run for office, and he made some terrible statements. " So I don't know …. it makes it more difficult to do." In May, Trump insisted he wouldn't let people's personal opinions of him cloud his judgement when it came to a pardon. The president said of Combs: "I haven't seen him, I haven't spoken to him in years. He used to really like me a lot, but I think when I ran for politics, that relationship busted up. I read some little bit nasty statements in the paper all of a sudden." Of a potential pardon, he added: "I would certainly look at the facts. If I think somebody is mistreated, whether they like me or don't like me, it wouldn't have any impact on me." Despite their previous friendliness, Combs argued in 2020 that Trump should be "banished". "White men like Trump need to be banished. That way of thinking is real dangerous. This man literally threatened the lives of us and our families about going to vote... ," he told Charlamagne tha God. "The number one priority is to get Trump out of office." Combs was arrested in September 2024 and has since been held at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, awaiting sentencing. He was convicted of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution - for arranging for women and male sex workers to travel to engage in sexual encounters he filmed. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years. The judge presiding over the trial, Arun Subramanian, denied Combs bail after the verdict, citing Combs' admitted past violence towards two ex-girlfriends and deeming him a risk to society. Meanwhile, Combs has described conditions at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Centre as "inhumane" in a new appeal for bail ahead of his October sentencing. His lawyer Marc Agnifilo, submitted a brief letter to Judge Arun Subramanian requesting Combs' release from the facility where he has been held since his arrest in September 2024. In the filing, obtained by Page Six, Agnifilo claimed: "MDC routinely serves food that is expired or infested with maggots." with agencies ---------------- 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Sean "Diddy" Combs' legal team has "reached out" to US President Donald Trump seeking a pardon after his conviction on prostitution-related offences. The 55-year-old US music mogul is behind bars after being found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and ahead of his sentencing on October 3. The confirmation the Trump administration has been approached was reported by CNN in an interview with defence team member Nicole Westmoreland. Westmoreland told CNN: "It's my understanding that we've reached out and had conversations in reference to a pardon." The Bad Boy Records founder is optimistic about his chances of a pardon. Asked how he feels about the possibility, Westmoreland said: "(Combs) is a very hopeful person and I believe that he remains hopeful." A White House official said they would "not comment on the existence or non-existence of any clemency request." However, Trump, 79, recently admitted he would find it "difficult" to pardon Combs because the rapper was "very hostile" towards him. Speaking to Newsmax, he said: "Well, he was essentially, I guess, sort of half-innocent. (He's) still in jail or something, but he was celebrating a victory. But I guess it wasn't as good of a victory... "I was very friendly with him. I got along with him great, and (he) seemed like a nice guy. I didn't know him well. But when I ran for office, he was very hostile. "It's hard, you know? We're human beings. And we don't like to have things cloud our judgment, right? But when you knew someone and you were fine, and then you run for office, and he made some terrible statements. " So I don't know …. it makes it more difficult to do." In May, Trump insisted he wouldn't let people's personal opinions of him cloud his judgement when it came to a pardon. The president said of Combs: "I haven't seen him, I haven't spoken to him in years. He used to really like me a lot, but I think when I ran for politics, that relationship busted up. I read some little bit nasty statements in the paper all of a sudden." Of a potential pardon, he added: "I would certainly look at the facts. If I think somebody is mistreated, whether they like me or don't like me, it wouldn't have any impact on me." Despite their previous friendliness, Combs argued in 2020 that Trump should be "banished". "White men like Trump need to be banished. That way of thinking is real dangerous. This man literally threatened the lives of us and our families about going to vote... ," he told Charlamagne tha God. "The number one priority is to get Trump out of office." Combs was arrested in September 2024 and has since been held at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, awaiting sentencing. He was convicted of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution - for arranging for women and male sex workers to travel to engage in sexual encounters he filmed. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years. The judge presiding over the trial, Arun Subramanian, denied Combs bail after the verdict, citing Combs' admitted past violence towards two ex-girlfriends and deeming him a risk to society. Meanwhile, Combs has described conditions at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Centre as "inhumane" in a new appeal for bail ahead of his October sentencing. His lawyer Marc Agnifilo, submitted a brief letter to Judge Arun Subramanian requesting Combs' release from the facility where he has been held since his arrest in September 2024. In the filing, obtained by Page Six, Agnifilo claimed: "MDC routinely serves food that is expired or infested with maggots." with agencies ---------------- 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Perth Now
15 hours ago
- Perth Now
Sean 'Diddy' Combs 'reaches out' to Donald Trump administration for pardon
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' legal team have "reached out" to US President Donald Trump about the possibility of a pardon. The 55-year-old music mogul is behind bars after being found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and ahead of his sentencing on 6 October, he has sought to be shown mercy by the commander-in-chief and his administration to have any potential punishment dismissed. Nicole Westmoreland of his legal team told CNN: 'It's my understanding that we've reached out and had conversations in reference to a pardon." The Bad Boy Records founder is optimistic about his chances of a pardon. Asked how he feels about the possibility, Nicole added: "[Combs] is a very hopeful person and I believe that he remains hopeful.' A White House official said they would "not comment on the existence or nonexistence of any clemency request.' However, Trump, 79, recently admitted he would find it "difficult" to pardon Combs because the rapper was "very hostile" towards him. Speaking to Newsmax host Rob Finnerty, he said: 'Well, he was essentially, I guess, sort of half-innocent. [He's] still in jail or something, but he was celebrating a victory. But I guess it wasn't as good of a victory... "I was very friendly with him. I got along with him great, and [he] seemed like a nice guy. I didn't know him well. But when I ran for office, he was very hostile. "It's hard, you know? We're human beings. And we don't like to have things cloud our judgment, right? But when you knew someone and you were fine, and then you run for office, and he made some terrible statements. " So I don't know …. it makes it more difficult to do.' Back in May, Trump - who previously described Combs as a "good friend" - insisted he wouldn't let people's personal opinions of him cloud his judgement when it came to a pardon. He said of the rapper: 'I haven't seen him, I haven't spoken to him in years. He used to really like me a lot, but I think when I ran for politics, that relationship busted up. I read some little bit nasty statements in the paper all of a sudden.' Of a potential pardon, he added: 'I would certainly look at the facts. If I think somebody is mistreated, whether they like me or don't like me, it wouldn't have any impact on me.' Despite their previous friendliness, Combs argued in 2020 that Trump should be "banished". He told Charlamagne tha God: 'White men like Trump need to be banished. That way of thinking is real dangerous. This man literally threatened the lives of us and our families about going to vote … "The number one priority is to get Trump out of office.' The I'll Be Missing You hitmaker - who was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges - faces up to 20 years in prison.
Perth Now
21 hours ago
- Perth Now
Sean ‘Diddy' Combs blasts conditions at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center as ‘inhumane'
Sean 'Diddy' Combs has described conditions at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center as 'inhumane' in a new appeal for bail ahead of his October sentencing. The 55-year-old rapper's lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, has submitted a brief letter to Judge Arun Subramanian requesting Combs' release from the facility where he has been held since his arrest in September 2024. In the filing, obtained by Page Six, Agnifilo claimed: 'MDC routinely serves food that is expired or infested with maggots.' He added: 'The maggot-infested food captured in that photo is, unfortunately, not an uncommon experience.' Mr Agnifilo also described the poor conditions and frequent lockdowns as 'exceptional circumstances' warranting bail consideration. Combs was taken into custody following charges including sex trafficking, racketeering and prostitution. The Grammy-winning founder of Bad Boy Records, 55, was acquitted of the most serious racketeering and sex trafficking charges after his high-profile trial, but was convicted on 2 July of two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution – each count carrying a maximum 10-year sentence. He now faces up to 20 years in prison. Following the conviction, Mr Agnifilo immediately petitioned for Combs' release, but Judge Subramanian denied bail, noting he had already denied bail before the trial began and seeing 'no reason to reach the opposite conclusion' now. The judge did suggest he might consider moving the sentencing date forward. In response, Mr Agnifilo called the denial 'unfair,' accusing prosecutors of being 'hellbent on punishing (Combs) for being a user of prostitution services in a more draconian manner than anyone in U.S. history.' He said Combs 'has shown nothing but respect for the criminal justice system and everyone in it from the first minute in jail,' denying that his client is a flight risk or danger to others. Speaking to Variety, Mr Agnifilo also said Combs' time in detention has been 'difficult,' adding: 'He misses his kids. He's learned a lot. What he wants to do when he gets out is to start small. He wants to spend time with his children and get reacquainted with his own life.' The lawyer described the prison food as the 'roughest' part of his client's stay, referencing recent reports of unappetising holiday meals served to Combs. Meanwhile, reports have surfaced U.S. president Donald Trump is 'seriously considering' granting a pardon to Combs, although the White House has declined to confirm or deny such plans.
