Sean “Diddy” Combs, the music mogul facing charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and related crimes, is now accused of attempting to influence witnesses and blackmail others from his jail cell. Federal prosecutors filed new motions last week claiming Combs has employed secretive methods to communicate with outsiders, violating federal rules and potentially obstructing justice.
Prosecutors Allege Witness Tampering and Blackmail
According to prosecutors, evidence gathered during a routine search of Combs’ cell at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn suggests a calculated effort to silence witnesses or secure favorable testimony. They allege that Combs:
Used three-way calls and phone access codes (PAC numbers) from other inmates to contact unauthorized individuals, including his family and potential witnesses.
Leveraged a third-party communication service called ContactMeASAP to bypass federal monitoring.
Made payments to at least one witness, identified as “Witness-2,” in an alleged attempt to influence their statements.
Prosecutors described Combs’ actions as more characteristic of mob-style tactics, emphasizing the “relentless” nature of his efforts to manipulate witnesses.
Defense Argues Rights Violations
Combs’ attorneys hit back, claiming prosecutors violated his constitutional rights by seizing handwritten notes and other materials from his cell. They assert the documents are protected under attorney-client privilege and were improperly accessed without Combs’ knowledge.
“This search and seizure are in violation of Mr. Combs’ Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment rights,” his legal team wrote. They labeled the seizure “outrageous government conduct” and argued it amounted to a due process violation.
Evidence Dispute: Privilege vs. Procedure
Prosecutors maintain that no privileged materials have been reviewed by the trial team. A “filter team” — separate from the case investigators — screened the evidence for protected content, redacting anything privileged before sharing it with prosecutors.
Legal experts like former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani explain that inmates do not have Fourth Amendment privacy rights in prison. “Guards can search his cell without probable cause or a warrant,” Rahmani noted, adding that filter teams are a common safeguard to prevent privileged material from tainting the case.
Case Background and Bail Hearing
Combs has been in custody since his September arrest, accused of orchestrating a sex trafficking operation. Prosecutors allege he and his associates lured victims under false pretenses, using drugs, threats, and coercion to force them into sex acts at events he called “freak-offs.”
Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges, but prosecutors are staunchly opposing his $50-million bail request. They argue his alleged in-custody tampering demonstrates the risk of worsening behavior if he is released to house arrest.
Prosecutors highlighted a fourth-quarter sweep of federal prison facilities during which Combs’ cell was searched. The items seized, including handwritten notes, reportedly reveal a pattern of attempts to contact and influence witnesses and jurors, potentially undermining the trial process.
A Key Allegation: Communication with Witness-2
One focal point of the allegations involves a call with “Witness-2,” where prosecutors infer that Combs may have paid the witness after they posted a statement. Personal notes found in his cell reportedly support this claim.
What’s Next?
A federal judge is set to decide this week whether Combs will remain in custody or be granted bail. Meanwhile, the case continues to evolve, with both sides locked in a heated battle over the evidence and the alleged misuse of communication methods by the music mogul.
As the trial looms, the allegations of witness tampering add another layer of complexity to an already high-profile case, with prosecutors determined to keep Combs behind bars and his defense team fighting to discredit the evidence.
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