During Sean “Diddy” Combs’ arraignment on Tuesday, September 17, federal prosecutors revealed that authorities allegedly found drugs in his hotel room during his arrest. Prosecutor Emily Johnson stated that law enforcement discovered bags of pink powder, believed to be ecstasy, while arresting the rapper on Monday, September 16. According to TMZ, the substance matched previous bags that tested positive for ecstasy, though final confirmation is pending. Additional drugs were also reportedly found at the scene.
Diddy, 54, pleaded not guilty to three charges of s*x trafficking and racketeering during the hearing, which lasted nearly two hours. The court session centered on whether the music mogul should be released on bail or remain jailed until his trial. Prosecutors argued that Diddy could obstruct the case or intimidate witnesses if released, citing that witnesses had “universally expressed fear” of him. They also claimed that Diddy had the means to be a flight risk, further pushing for him to be held without bail.
One key point raised by prosecutors involved an incident where Diddy allegedly called his former artist, Kalenna Harper, 54 times just before she made a statement in a lawsuit filed by singer Dawn Richard against him.
Diddy’s lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, defended his client, claiming there was more to the story behind the 2016 hotel surveillance footage, which appeared to show Diddy physically assaulting his ex, Cassie Ventura. Agnifilo alleged that Cassie had gone through Diddy’s phone and, after discovering he had multiple girlfriends, struck him with his own phone. He also suggested that their subsequent altercation in the hotel hallway stemmed from this incident.
Agnifilo further argued that the s*xual encounters described in the indictment were consensual, stating that the acts were “part of the way these two adults wanted to be intimate.”, according to the New York Post.
Despite the defense’s arguments, the judge ruled that Diddy would remain in custody without bail pending trial. Following the hearing, Agnifilo described Diddy as a “fighter” who is determined to prove his innocence, stating, “He’s going to fight this to the end.”
Agnifilo added that they plan to appeal the decision to deny bail. Diddy’s arrest by Homeland Security came after multiple lawsuits were filed, accusing him of s*xual abuse. Both Diddy and his legal team continue to assert his innocence.