Superstar rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to racketeering and sex trafficking charges and was ordered to remain in custody pending a trial. Combs, 54, was arrested by federal agents in New York on Monday and accused in a three-count criminal indictment of engaging in decades of sexual abuse of women. Making his first appearance in a Manhattan courtroom, the music mogul pleaded not guilty and his lawyer asked Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky to allow his release on bail.
Tarnofsky refused, saying she was concerned about a "power imbalance" in the case with people who are "subject to coercion" -- an apparent reference to witnesses or victims. Combs, who was wearing black t-shirt, grey sweatpants and sneakers, did not noticeably react to the pre-trial detention ruling, which his attorney, Marc Agnifilo, said would be appealed. In addition to racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, Combs is also charged with one count of transporting victims across state lines to engage in prostitution.
Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said that although Combs is the only person indicted for now the investigation is ongoing. The indictment alleges that -- for decades -- Combs "abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct." It accused him of running a "criminal enterprise" that carried out "sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson.