Rapper held without bail on sex trafficking charges

Federal authorities on Tuesday unsealed an indictment against Sean “Diddy” Combs that accuses the rapper of organizing a prostitution and sex abuse ring that he allegedly used to exploit victims for his pleasure. The indictment states that since at least 2008, Combs used his record label, Bad Boy Records, to carry out sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, and bribery. At a news conference on Tuesday, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said Combs drugged and blackmailed victims to force them to participate in indecent acts, and his employees coordinated travel and lodging for those involved.

How has Combs responded? He pleaded not guilty plea in a Manhattan court on Tuesday afternoon. Judge Robyn Tarnofsky denied Combs’ request for a $50 million bond and placed him in pre-trial detention, which he planned to appeal on Wednesday. Combs faces up to a life sentence on racketeering and sex trafficking charges, the latter requiring a minimum sentence of 15 years. Transportation for prostitution also carries up to a decade behind bars.