A New York federal judge has denied Sean “Diddy” Combs’ fourth request for bail, keeping the music mogul behind bars as he awaits sentencing.
Judge Arun Subramanian ruled on Monday that there were no “exceptional reasons” to justify releasing Combs ahead of his October 3 sentencing. Prosecutors successfully argued that he should remain detained at MDC Brooklyn, citing flight risk and the nature of his convictions.
Combs, 55, was convicted on two misdemeanor counts of transporting women, including ex-girlfriends Cassie Ventura and Gina Huynh, across state lines for prostitution. He was acquitted of more serious RICO and sex trafficking charges after a six-week trial.
In a surprising move, Gina Huynh one of Combs’ alleged victims and a central figure in the federal indictment wrote a letter to the judge asking for his release.
In the letter, Huynh described Combs as a “good father” who had made “visible efforts to become a better person and address the harm he caused.” Huynh, 33, had gone missing in May and did not testify during the trial. She later identified herself publicly as “Victim 3.”
Despite her plea, the judge remained unmoved. His order emphasized that personal character statements didn’t outweigh the legal standards required for bail in such a case.
During the trial, Combs’ former assistant George Kaplan testified that he witnessed Combs throwing apples at Huynh inside his home on Star Island, Florida. Huynh’s letter acknowledged past abuse but claimed Combs’ behavior changed over time, saying he eventually “embodied an energy of love, patience, and gentleness.”
Combs will remain in federal custody until his sentencing in October, where he faces potential prison time related to the misdemeanor convictions.
