Sean 'Diddy' Combs held without bail after pleading not guilty to indictment charging sex trafficking and racketeering 

Hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs is being held without bail  after pleading not guilty Tuesday in federal court in Manhattan to charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, including hitting and abusing women for over a decade and presiding over an empire of sexual crimes.

Combs, 54, who founded Bad Boy Records, “abused, threatened and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation and conceal his conduct,” Manhattan federal prosecutor Damian Williams charged.

“Combs relied on the employees, resources and influence of the multi-faceted business empire that he had led and controlled — creating a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in and attempted to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice,” according to the indictment, which details allegations dating to 2008.

Federal prosecutors charge that Combs and his subordinates would lure women into his orbit “under the pretense of a romantic relationship” and then use force and intimidation to get them to engage in sex acts with male sex workers in activities that he referred to as “Freak Offs.”

Combs, who promoted major rap and R&B talents such as Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige and Usher, was arrested in New York City on Monday night.

“Not guilty,” Combs told a court, standing to speak after listening to the allegations. He appeared nervous, swigging water, then sat stiffly at the defense table.

“Mr. Combs physically and sexually abused victims for decades. He used the vast resources of his company to facilitate his abuse and cover up his crimes,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson had told the judge, urging that he be held without bail. She also said he had an “extensive and exhaustive history of obstruction of justice,” including alleged bribery and witness intimidation.

His lawyers, meanwhile, portrayed the alleged victims as willing participants in the sex parties.

"[Prosecutors] never say that anyone didn't consent," defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo said. "Is it sex trafficking? No, not if everyone wants to be there."

The defense proposed that he be released on a $50 million bond to home detention with electronic monitoring.

"He is not a perfect person. There has been drug use. He has been in toxic relationships,” Agnifilo said. He said Combs was receiving “treatment and therapy for things that he needs treatment and therapy for.”

But U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky said that no conditions for his release could be met that would ensure that Combs returned to court and would not be a danger to the community or tamper with witnesses.

"My concern is that this is a crime that occurs behind closed doors," the judge said, citing the power imbalance between the victims and the wealthy and powerful businessman.

She remanded him into custody.

Agnifilo had said outside court earlier that Combs is innocent and came to New York voluntarily 12 days ago understanding that the indictment was imminent.

“He’s dealing with this head-on, the way he’s dealt with every challenge in his life and he’s not guilty. He’s innocent of these charges,” the lawyer said.

In the indictment, prosecutors charge that Combs would employ the staff of his business empire, which includes music, clothing lines, liquor, a TV network, and a marketing agency to set up the sex parties and help clean up afterward.

Search warrants served on the music mogul’s homes in Miami and Los Angeles revealed illegal drugs, three AR-15 rifles with defaced serial numbers and large supplies of lubricant and baby oil.

For his crimes, federal prosecutors are not only seeking prison time, they're also going after Combs’ business empire, according to the indictment, seeking forfeiture of all his assets and property tied to the crimes. They estimate that Combs' assets could reach $1 billion or more.

Combs was recognized as one of the most influential figures in hip-hop before a flood of allegations that emerged over the past year turned him into an industry pariah.

In November, a former girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura, filed a lawsuit saying he had beaten and raped her for years.

The suit was settled in one day but months later CNN aired hotel security footage showing Combs punching and kicking Cassie and throwing her to the floor.

She declined to comment through her lawyer.

With AP