Sean 'Diddy' Combs on suicide watch while he awaits sex trafficking trial

NEW YORK — Sean “Diddy” Combs has been placed on suicide watch at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he’s awaiting trial on three felony charges stemming from years of alleged abuse.

The music mogul’s attorney, Marc Agnifilo, told TMZ the directive issued by jail staff was a routine measure for all “new, high-profile inmates.” He added that Diddy is “not at all suicidal” and described him as “strong, healthy, confident and focused on his defense.”

Diddy has been in federal custody in New York City since his arrest Monday night. He was taken into custody at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Midtown Manhattan and initially placed in MDC’s special housing unit, or SHU, before he was moved to the jail’s East Side.

His arrest came after a months-long investigation carried out by Homeland Security and the federal government, which saw agents raid Diddy’s homes in Miami and Los Angeles in connection with drug and sex trafficking allegations.

On Tuesday, the Bad Boy Records founder pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He’s accused of using his money and influence to coerce women into participating in his “freak off” sex parties, which allegedly involved degrading and physically abusive acts that were often recorded.

He was ordered held without bond.

U.S. District Judge Andrew Carter on Wednesday for the second time denied bond for the music producer, whose lawyer proposed he be released on $50 million bail, GPS monitoring and strict limitations on visitors.

But Carter said the offer was insufficient, ruling “no condition or set of conditions” governing Diddy’s release could guard against the risk of him threatening or harming witnesses.

Speaking to the press after the hearing, Agnifilo vowed he would continue the fight to free Diddy from MDC, which has for years been plagued with issues like rampant violence, severe staffing shortages and the widespread smuggling of drugs and other contraband.

“Mr. Combs is a fighter, he’s going to fight this until the end, he’s innocent,” Agnifilo said. “We’re going to fight this case with everything we have, as is he.”

Agniflo will next ask the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn Carter’s ruling and release his client from jail.

In the meantime, he wants Combs moved from the Brooklyn lockup, which has housed other high-profile inmates including disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly, Epstein-enabler Ghislaine Maxwell, “Pharma Bro” Martin Shkreli and NXIVM sex cult leader Keith Raniere. Agniflo requested Diddy be transferred to the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, N.J.

Diddy has also separately been named in eight different lawsuits since November 2023, most of them detailing allegations of rape, sexual assault, drugging and physical abuse.