Sean “Diddy” Combs was denied bond on Wednesday, despite being acquitted of federal sex trafficking and racketeering — the most serious charges he was facing.
Combs, however, was found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution involving ex-girlfriends Cassie Ventura and a woman who used the pseudonym “Jane.” CNN reported that Judge Arun Subramanian denied Combs’ bond while citing the defense’s own words about Combs’ violent behavior towards his former girlfriends.
The judge noted that Combs’ violence and illegal activity continued even after federal agents searched his home. His actions showed his “disregard for the rule of law and a propensity of violence,” according to the judge.
Combs’ lawyers were seeking to have him immediately released on $1 million bond. They told the court that he would stay at his home in Miami, Florida, while awaiting sentencing.
The ruling came hours after Ventura’s lawyer, Doug Wigdor, submitted a letter to the court rallying against Combs’ release on bond.
“Ms. Ventura believes that Mr. Combs is likely to pose a danger to the victims who testified in this case, including herself, as well as to the community,” Wigdor wrote, according to CNN.
Combs is facing up to 20 years in prison, with each count having a maximum sentence of 10 years. Judge Arun Subramanian suggested a tentative sentencing date for October 3.
Jurors heard testimony from three women who accused Combs of physical or sexual abuse. Cassie Ventura, who dated Combs from 2007 to 2018, testified that Combs “stifled” her music career while forcing her to participate in “freak offs,” which often entailed her having sex with other men in Combs’ presence. Ventura said the drug-fueled ordeals left her sleep-deprived and dehydrated, as they would last for days on end.
Another victim, who used the alias “Mia,” worked as Combs’ assistant for eight years. She accused Combs of forcing her to perform oral sex and sneaking into her bed to penetrate her without her consent. She also claimed Combs hurled objects at her and threw her against a wall.
A third woman, who used the pseudonym “Jane,” dated Combs from 2021 to 2024. She testified about “hotel nights,” which allegedly were sexual rendezvous arranged by Combs. Combs reportedly watched these encounters, which Jane said she had to be under the influence of drugs to participate.
The defense did not call a single witness to testify. Instead, they presented texts between Combs and the alleged victims, which they believe proved the sex encounters were consensual and non-coercive. They compared Combs and Ventura to “swingers” — and claimed the issues in their relationship stemmed from Combs dating other women, not from the alleged “freak offs.”
Combs turned down a plea deal days before his trial began.
This story is developing…
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[Feature Photo: Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP, File]
