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Diddy denied bail after conviction on federal charges

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Argentina

Wednesday, July 2


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Sean “Diddy” Combs will remain in custody after his bail request was denied until his sentencing for federal crimes is known (EFE/Guillaume Horcajuelo)Sean “Diddy” Combs permanecerá detenido

Sean Diddy Combs will remain in custody until his sentencing hearing, after the court refused to grant him bail.

The decision came after the jury found him guilty of two counts of transportation for prostitution, while he was acquitted of the more serious charges related to sex trafficking and criminal association.

On Wednesday morning, after the verdict was read, defense attorney Marc Agnifilo requested his client's immediate release under certain conditions so he could reside at his home in Florida while awaiting sentencing.

The defense argued that Diddy should be “released under appropriate conditions” and insisted that his continued imprisonment was unjustified.

"That's my proposal," the defense told the judge when asked if he intended for his client to leave the courtroom that same day.

El tribunal rechazó el argumento
The court rejected the defense's argument of "exceptional circumstances" and remanded Diddy in custody in Brooklyn (REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg)

The prosecution, however, opposed the request, warning of the “real risk” of releasing Combs.

In their statement to the court, prosecutors emphasized that the charges filed under the Mann Act require mandatory detention and that “the only conceivable basis for release would be the existence of ‘exceptional circumstances.’”

The government's statement emphasized:"Even if detention were not mandatory, which it is, the defendant cannot demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that he is not a flight risk or a risk to others or the community."

Judge Arun Subramanian requested that letters from both sides be reviewed before issuing his decision. The rapper's defense team proposed a set of conditions that included a $1 million bond, travel restrictions to specific areas of Florida, California, New York, or New Jersey, surrender of a passport, and drug testing.

The lawyers also insisted their client was not convicted of a violent crime and argued he should be released due to"exceptional circumstances," citing his responsibility as the primary caregiver for his 85-year-old mother.

La defensa del rapero propuso
The rapper's defense proposed a million-dollar bail, surrender of passport and travel restrictions, but the prosecution described the release as a risk (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

“Mr. Combs should be released on bond today,” the attorneys wrote. “It would be unjust to continue holding Mr. Combs at MDC for even one more day, especially considering that, under the guidelines for these prostitution offenses, he would be eligible to serve any additional time in a lower-security facility.”

Prosecutors said preliminary sentencing guidelines estimate Sean Combs faces 51 to 63 months, or four to five years in prison.

Each of the two charges he was found guilty of carries a maximum of ten years. However, if he had been found guilty of conspiracy and sex trafficking, he would have faced life in prison.

The defense considered that the prosecution"exaggerates" the scope of the sentence and recalled that there has already been a previous rejection of other bail requests, including a bail offer of 50 million dollars presented in September 2024, backed by real estate and a security monitoring system, which was also dismissed.

Combs fue absuelto de los
Combs was acquitted of the most serious charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy, but faces up to 20 years for transportation for prostitution (Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP)

During the 29-day trial, the prosecution presented 34 witnesses, including several former employees and romantic partners of the accused.

Among the main testimonies was that of Cassie Ventura, who for four days recounted alleged episodes of physical and psychological aggression by Combs.

Her statement was a central point of the trial. Ventura claimed that her ex-partner raped her and forced her to participate in organized sexual encounters, known as freak-offs and"hotel nights."

Outside the courtroom after the verdict was issued, the musician's defense team celebrated his not being found guilty on the major charges, while Combs showed signs of relief.

For his part, the singer's lawyer, Douglas H. Wigdor, issued a statement in which he recognized the great effort made by his client in testifying.

El testimonio de Cassie Ventura
Cassie Ventura's testimony was key in the trial, recounting episodes of abuse and violence by the accused (The Grosby Group)

“She showed undeniable strength and exposed the conduct of powerful men for decades without consequence. This case demonstrated that change is necessary, and we will continue to fight on behalf of survivors,” Wigdor said.

During the trial, the prosecution portrayed Diddy as the leader of a network that used his position to commit crimes, including transporting women across state lines for paid sex acts.

As part of their testimony, both public figures and former collaborators recounted situations in which women were solicited or arranged to participate in private events.

Defense attorneys called no witnesses and focused on refuting through cross-examination the existence of an organized crime conspiracy, arguing that there was no evidence of coercion and that the acts were consensual.

Pending final sentencing, Sean Diddy Combs will remain in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he has been since his arrest in September 2024.

La fiscalía justificó la prisión
The prosecution justified Diddy's pretrial detention by citing flight risk and possible risks to the community while he awaits sentencing (REUTERS/Mike Blake)

The music producer still faces several civil lawsuits for alleged sexual abuse, which he has repeatedly denied.

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