Sean “Diddy” Combs remains in custody after a federal judge denied his request for bail ahead of his upcoming sentencing. The decision, handed down yesterday (August 4) by U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, is the latest setback in the music mogul’s ongoing legal saga.
Last month, Diddy was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges but found guilty on two counts of transportation for prostitution following a high-profile, two-month trial in New York City. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years, meaning Combs could face up to 20 years behind bars, though legal experts say a lighter sentence is more likely.
In a letter submitted to the court, Diddy’s legal team pushed for bail, arguing that he was being unfairly targeted and citing inhumane conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. “Hellbent on punishing him for being a user of prostitution services in a more draconian manner than anyone in U.S. history,” the letter claimed, “the government continues to target him unfairly, just as it has done from the inception of this probably misplaced investigation.”
His lawyers also described “expired and maggot-infested food” at the detention center and frequent lockdowns that they claim contradict the government’s assurances about the facility’s standards.
Despite the appeal, Judge Subramanian ruled that the arguments failed to meet the legal threshold for release. “Even if the flight-or-danger requirement was satisfied, there are no ‘exceptional reasons’ warranting a departure from what Congress has required,” he stated in his decision.
As a result, Combs will remain behind bars at least until his sentencing hearing in October. His legal team has not publicly commented on the judge’s decision regarding his bail request.