by Idara Inyang — September 20, 2024
Embattled music mogul, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, has reportedly been placed on suicide watch as he awaits his Trial for Sex Trafficking.
The 54-year-old star was arrested earlier this week at a New York hotel and has been charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has been remanded to Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center after pleading not guilty, and he has been denied bail twice. According to PEOPLE, Combs is on suicide watch, with sources describing the measure as preventative, given his shock and unclear mental state as he awaits his Trial for Sex Trafficking.
The U.S. Department of Justice National Institute of Corrections defines suicide watch as “supervisory precautions taken for suicidal inmates that require frequent observation.” Combs’ lawyers had argued that he should be spared jail while awaiting his Trial for Sex Trafficking and suggested a $50 million bond, electronic monitoring, weekly drug tests, a visitor log, the surrender of his passport, and no contact with women. However, bail was denied on both Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Judge expressed concerns that Combs’ release could potentially obstruct justice and lead to witness tampering, emphasizing the seriousness of the charges in the Trial for Sex Trafficking. During the arraignment, Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, mentioned that Combs is currently in “treatment and therapy for issues that require respectful attention,” but did not provide further details, citing confidentiality.
If found guilty, Combs could face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, with a maximum sentence of life in prison for the charges in the Trial for Sex Trafficking.
Recall that Sean “Diddy” Combs was ordered to remain in jail without bail until his federal sex trafficking trial. The judge decided against granting bail for Diddy following his arraignment on September 17, where he pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking.
The indictment alleged that Diddy coerced female victims and male sex workers into prolonged, drug-fueled sexual performances known as “Freak Offs,” and referenced an alleged attack on his former girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie. During the September 17 hearing in New York, the judge rejected a bail proposal put forth by Combs’ legal team. The charges against him included sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for prostitution, as detailed in a recently unsealed federal indictment.
Prosecutors alleged that drugs were discovered in the hotel room where Combs was arrested on September 16. At the hearing, Combs, dressed in a black long-sleeve shirt and grey sweatpants, stood to enter his plea. His attorneys had suggested a $50 million bail package, which included a $50,000 bond. However, U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky ruled against granting bail for Diddy, siding with the prosecution’s request to keep him behind bars.
The indictment accused Combs of forcing women into extended, orchestrated sexual performances. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson labeled him a “serial abuser and a serial obstructor,” citing a history of obstruction of justice and alleged bribery and witness intimidation. Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, acknowledged Combs’ past issues, including drug use and problematic relationships, but argued that he was receiving the necessary treatment.
Agnifilo contended that the accusations stemmed from a long-term, consensual relationship that deteriorated due to infidelity, not coercion. Despite these arguments, the judge’s decision to deny bail for Diddy remained in effect as the case proceeded.
