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Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested Monday evening and indicted on federal intercourse trafficking and racketeering prices that accuse him of hitting and abusing ladies for over a decade and presiding over an empire of sexual crimes.
In a federal indictment unsealed Tuesday, Combs was charged with racketeering, intercourse trafficking and transportation to interact in prostitution. The costs are tied to so-called “freak offs,” coerced intercourse acts that Combs allegedly orchestrated and recorded.
Standing to talk, after listening to the allegations whereas exhibiting little response, his uncuffed palms folded in his lap, Combs pleaded not responsible.
Detailing allegations courting again to 2009, the indictment accuses him of abusing, threatening and coercing ladies for years “to satisfy his sexual needs, defend his fame, and conceal his conduct.”
U.S. Legal professional Damian Williams, whose workplace is bringing the case, spoke in regards to the allegations towards Combs at a information convention Tuesday morning, mentioning the “freak offs” no less than 5 instances in beneath 20 minutes.
“Combs allegedly deliberate and managed the intercourse performances, which he known as ‘freak offs’ and he typically electronically recorded them,” Williams instructed reporters, saying that federal prosecutors claimed they seized greater than 1,000 bottles of non-public lubricant and child oil from Combs’ property and that these had been used within the intercourse acts.
“The ‘freak offs’ typically lasted days at a time, concerned a number of industrial intercourse staff, and sometimes concerned a wide range of narcotics akin to ketamine, ecstasy and GHB, which Combs distributed to the victims to maintain them obedient and compliant,” Williams defined.
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Combs can be accused of hitting, kicking and throwing objects at victims, inflicting accidents that always took weeks to heal. It’s additionally alleged that he choked his victims, dragged them by their hair and threw individuals round.
Standing in entrance of a show board, Williams additionally shared photos of a number of the gadgets authorities say had been recovered within the searches, together with AR-15s and a drum journal containing dozens of rounds of ammunition.
Williams stated two of the three AR-15s had been taken from Combs’ bed room closet in his Miami dwelling, and had been damaged down into components. He stated the serial numbers on the weapons had been obscured.
“To hold out this conduct, Sean Combs led and took part in a racketeering conspiracy that used the enterprise empire he managed to hold out felony exercise, together with intercourse trafficking, compelled labour, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and the obstruction of justice,” Williams stated in remarks that echoed the three-count indictment.
Williams stated prosecutors will argue to maintain Combs behind bars and dismissed the concept that Combs might be in peril whereas in jail.
Combs, nevertheless, provided to put up a US$50 million bond to be launched from custody and in addition provided to put on a GPS monitor whereas limiting journey to New York Metropolis and Miami, in response to a proposed bail package deal filed by his defence crew.
The indictment alleges that, unbeknownst to his victims, Combs would typically preserve movies he filmed of the ladies partaking in intercourse acts. Combs used the recordings “as collateral to make sure the continued obedience and silence of the victims,” the indictment stated.
As the specter of felony prices loomed, Combs and his associates additionally pressured witnesses and victims to remain silent by trying to bribe them and offering them with a false narrative of occasions, in response to the indictment.
Prosecutors additionally stated that Combs’ workers and associates had been witness to the violence and wicked acts, however typically labored with the rap star to assist cowl up his crimes, together with stopping victims from leaving, or monitoring down those who tried to flee.
In addition they allege that Combs’ workers helped their boss pull off the “freak offs” by reserving resort rooms, arranging journey and stocking the rooms with lubricants, linens and lighting, IV fluids and illicit medicine. Prosecutors stated workers would clear the rooms when the intercourse acts, which may final days, had been completed.
In a single such 2012 incident, held inside a Manhattan resort, Combs needed to pay greater than “$46,000 to cowl damages to a penthouse room following a freak off,” the prosecution stated.
Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, addressed the indictment and arrest of his shopper earlier Tuesday, telling reporters that Combs wouldn’t plead responsible and insisted upon his innocence.
“Clearly, he’s going to struggle this with all of his power and all of his would possibly and the total confidence of his legal professionals,” stated Agnifilo. “And I anticipate an extended battle with a superb consequence for Mr. Combs.”
Over the previous 12 months, Combs has been sued by a number of individuals who say he subjected them to bodily or sexual abuse.
— With information from The Related Press
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Should you or somebody you recognize is experiencing abuse or is concerned in an abusive state of affairs, please go to the Canadian Useful resource Centre for Victims of Crime for assist. They’re additionally reachable toll-free at 1-877-232-2610.
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