Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ lawyers ask judge to free him on a $50 M bond, arguing his detention for consensual Mann Act charges is “unprecedented.”
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal team has asked a federal judge to free the music mogul on bond from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he’s been held since his September conviction on two counts of transporting someone for prostitution under the Mann Act.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Their 12‑page motion, filed Tuesday with Judge Arun Subramanian, argues that keeping Combs locked up until his October 3 sentencing hearing violates Justice Department policy and is unprecedented given the nature of his case.
In the high‑profile trial earlier this month, a jury acquitted Combs of the more serious racketeering and sex‑trafficking charges but found him guilty on the two Mann Act counts.
Prosecutors had alleged that Combs coerced two girlfriends into “freak offs” — drug‑fueled sexual encounters with hired male escorts that he watched and recorded. The defense maintains these encounters were entirely consensual and involved no trafficking.
Combs’ attorneys emphasize that “there has literally never been a case like this one,” pointing out that no one else is jailed for paying for consensual sex with adult partners.
They note that the Mann Act traditionally targets commercial operators who profit from prostitution, citing a 1953 Attorney’s Manual that advises against prosecuting “non‑commercial” cases.
The motion also contends that Combs poses no flight risk or danger to the community. They highlight that, prior to his arrest, Combs voluntarily enrolled in a domestic violence program following widely circulated CCTV footage showing an altercation with his girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in a Los Angeles hotel hallway — footage the judge referenced when initially denying bail.
For his release, the defense proposes a $50 million bond, house arrest at Combs’ Miami residence, and strict supervision by U.S. Pretrial Services. Combs would surrender his passport and only travel for legal proceedings.
Facing up to 20 years under the Mann Act, prosecutors have signaled they will seek a 51‑ to 63‑month sentence. The defense, however, recommends a term of 21 to 27 months.
The motion asserts that, given the acquittals on the more severe charges and the consensual nature of the conduct, continued detention is “inconsistent with Justice Department policy” and that “exceptional circumstances” warrant immediate release.
