Sean "Diddy" Combs was willing to turn himself in to authorities before his indictment on federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges, his attorney has said.
On Wednesday, the hip-hop artist and music industry mogul was denied bail for a second time after he was arrested on Monday in New York.
According to his lawyer, prosecutors for the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, which issued the indictment, declined their offer for Combs to surrender.
In an email to Newsweek, the Attorney's Office declined to comment.
Marc Agnifilo, of Agnifilo Law Group, is representing Combs in court, and on Tuesday, he said on CNN's The Source With Kaitlan Collins: "The most important thing … is that Mr. Combs came to New York on September 5.
"As soon as we realized that this indictment was going to be coming down in a matter of weeks, maybe months, but sometime soon, Mr. Combs got on a plane, left his home in Florida, flew to New York.
"I called the prosecutors myself. I said: 'Mr. Combs is in New York. Do you want to know where he is? If you want to where he is, I'll tell you where he is, but he wants to surrender. He's here to surrender.'"
Agnifilo added, "They didn't want him to surrender because if he surrenders, they don't get to tell the judge that he's a flight risk and he's a danger because who as a danger and a flight risk would fly to New York and surrender. So they didn't want him to surrender."
Host Kaitlan Collins asked the attorney when they learned that Combs would likely face formal charges.
"So I really knew he was formerly going to face charges on March 25, the day of the searches. When Homeland Security searched his Los Angeles home, his Miami home, and his airplane, I knew that day by looking at the search warrants—I mean, I've been doing this for a while. This is not my first or 100th rodeo—that this was going to come as a matter of time," Agnifilo said.
Newsweek contacted Agnifilo by email for comment.
On September 17, a 14-page indictment was unsealed, accusing Combs of racketeering conspiracy; sex trafficking by force, cause or coercion; and transportation to engage in prostitution charges.
"For decades, SEAN COMBS, a/k/a 'Puff Daddy,' a/k/a 'P Diddy,' a/k/a 'Diddy,' a/k/a 'PD,' a/k/a 'Love,' the defendant, abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct," the indictment said.
On Tuesday, Combs pleaded not guilty at a court hearing, where he was first denied bail.
On Wednesday, District Judge Andrew L. Carter Jr. denied Combs' $50 million bond package, deeming him a flight risk and at risk of coercing witnesses.
A trial date is set for October 9.
Diddy's Legal Strategy: Surrender and Fight
The news of Combs' willingness to surrender was unexpected, especially given the severity of the charges he faces. His legal team's strategy, however, suggests an attempt to present Combs as a cooperative defendant, not a flight risk.
While prosecutors rejected the surrender, it is unclear whether they will make a similar decision in the future. The defense could argue that Combs' willingness to surrender indicates his intention to face the charges and remain present for trial.
The Metropolitan Detention Center: A Controversial Setting
The jail's troubled history includes multiple inmate deaths, including suicides, and several staff members facing criminal charges. The facility has also been criticized for its handling of infrastructure breakdowns and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Combs' defense lawyers, however, argued that the Metropolitan Detention Center is not fit for pretrial detention, citing recent detainee deaths and concerns shared by judges about the jail's conditions.
The “Freak Off” Parties: An Alleged Pattern of Abuse
Combs is also accused of using intimidation tactics, including kidnapping, arson, and physical beatings, to silence victims and prevent them from speaking out. The indictment alleges a network of associates and employees helped facilitate Combs’ alleged actions.
Echoes of Epstein: A Haunting Comparison
The case against Combs remains in its early stages. Prosecutors will need to present evidence to support the allegations against him. If convicted on all charges, Combs could face a mandatory 15 years in prison, with the possibility of a life sentence.
The Uncertain Future: A Complex Legal Battle Ahead
The charges against Combs are serious and carry significant potential consequences. The legal battle ahead will be complex, with a trial date set for October 9.
The case will be closely watched by the public and the entertainment industry. It remains to be seen how the legal proceedings unfold and what impact they have on Combs’ career and reputation.