Diddy Denied Bail, Will Remain in Jail Until October Sentencing

Sean “Diddy” Combs has been denied bail and will remain behind bars while awaiting sentencing in his federal trial, where he was found guilty on two counts of transportation for prostitution but dodged the more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. The judge set a sentencing date for October 3 at 10 a.m. ET.

After the jury revealed the verdict early Wednesday morning, Combs’ attorney Marc Agnifilo told the judge that he “should be released on appropriate conditions” as early as today. The prosecution countered the request, stating that it posed a “real risk” to let him walk free.

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At 5 p.m. on Wednesday, the parties reconvened in the federal courtroom, where Judge Aran Subramanian announced his ruling. He said it would be “impossible” for Combs to prove he would not pose a danger to others if released on bail. Using the defense attorneys’ own words against them, the judge provided examples from the trial in which they admitted to Combs’ pattern of violence. “You full-throatedly in your closing argument told the jury that there was violence here,” Subramanian said to Agnifilo, quoting his summation on Friday: “‘We own the domestic violence. We own it.'”

The judge said the defense had “prevailed” on getting Combs acquitted on racketeering and sex trafficking charges, but “domestic violence is violence.” The evidence of such violence, the judge said, will not be considered concerning Combs’ sentencing, but it can be considered when determining bail.

Agnifilo, in search of a “glimmer of hope,” told the judge that Combs had enrolled in a “batterer’s program” and went to meetings in New York before he was arrested in September 2024. Combs has been a “remarkable prisoner” and is “working on himself,” Agnifilo added. “I think we should trust him. He’s not going to flee. He’s been given his life back. … He’s going to have next chapters of his life.” The defense’s main argument was that this case had “exceptional” circumstances that should allow Combs’ release.

Arguing on behalf of the prosecution, Maurene Comey said “the only thing exceptional” about Combs “is his wealth, his violence and his brazenness.” In fiery remarks, she reminded the judge of Combs’ violence against women, which allegedly occurred as recently as June 2024, when he knew he was under a federal investigation. “There is nothing exceptional about this case except for his continued criminality,” Comey said. “He’s an extremely violent man with an extraordinarily dangerous temper who has shown no remorse and no regret for his multiple victims.”

Agnifilo fired back: “Listening to Ms. Comey makes me appreciate we have juries.”

At one point during the bail hearing, Combs himself waved at the judge and indicated he wanted to say a few words. Ultimately, the opportunity passed, and he remained silent.

A virtual hearing between the judge and the parties to discuss a pre-sentencing report has been set for Tuesday, July 8, at 2 p.m.

Earlier in the day, Subramanian stated that he wanted to read letters from both sides before making his decision regarding bail. In its letter, Combs’ legal team proposed a bail package including a $1 million bond; travel restrictions to certain areas of Florida, California and New York or New Jersey; surrendering his passport; and drug testing.

The government, meanwhile, argued that he should be detained as his charges under the Mann Act require detention, and stated that “the only conceivable basis for release here is the existence of ‘exceptional circumstances.'” Prosecutors wrote that “even if detention was not mandatory here, which it is, the defendant cannot meet his burden to show by clear and convincing evidence that he is not likely to flee or pose a danger to any other person or the community.”

They note that the guidelines based on preliminary calculations dictate that the duration of imprisonment ranges from 51 to 63 months, or roughly four to five years.

In their response to the government’s letter, Combs’ attorneys argued that prosecutors were overstating his sentencing exposure and noted that he was not convicted of a violent crime. They said that detention is not necessary due to his “exceptional circumstances,” including looking after his children as well as his mother, Janice Combs, who is 85 years old and would like him to be her primary caretaker.

“Mr. Combs should be released on bail today,” they wrote. “It would be unjust to continue detaining Mr. Combs at the MDC even one day longer, especially since — given the sentencing guidelines for these prostitution offenses — he would otherwise be entitled to serve any additional time imposed at a lower-security facility.”

Combs was found guilty on two of the less serious charges in his federal trial, with each carrying a 10-year maximum sentence. The hip-hop mogul was facing a maximum of life in prison if the jury found him guilty on racketeering and sex trafficking charges. Following his detainment in September 2024, Combs had previously offered a $50 million bond backed by equity in his homes and the promise of security monitoring, yet was denied bail three times before withdrawing his bid in December.

After the verdict was read Wednesday, the mood among the defense team was celebratory, and Combs seemed relieved and overjoyed. The verdict arrived after an intense eight-week trial where several of Combs’ former employees and romantic partners testified about his behavior over the years. Combs was accused of coercing multiple women into “freak-offs” with male escorts that he transported across state lines.

His former girlfriend, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, was a key witness in the federal trial, appearing for a four-day testimony where she alleged that Combs routinely assaulted and psychologically abused her.

Following the verdict, Ventura’s attorney Douglas H. Wigdor released a statement commending her “strength” and coming forward with accusations that inevitably led to the federal case. “She displayed unquestionable strength and brought attention to the realities of powerful men in our orbit and the misconduct that has persisted for decades without repercussion,” he said. “This case proved that change is long overdue, and we will continue to fight on behalf of survivors.”