Rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.
The background: The rapper and producer was arrested Monday evening in Manhattan.
Prosecutors accused Combs of running a criminal enterprise to facilitate the exploitation of women, dating back at least 16 years.
According to the indictment, Combs lured women by giving them drugs such as ketamine and ecstasy, financial support or by promising career support or a romantic relationship.
Combs then used clandestine recordings of sex acts as “collateral” to ensure the women remained silent, and sometimes displayed weapons to intimidate abuse victims and witnesses, prosecutors said.
What else to know: Also known throughout his career as P Diddy and Puff Daddy, Combs founded Bad Boy Records and is credited with helping turn R&B rappers and singers such as Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Notorious B.I.G. and Usher into stars in the 1990s 90 and 2000.
What happens next: Combs faces a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 15 years and up to life in prison if convicted of the three crimes.
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