Diddy rejects last-minute plea deal, pleads not guilty ahead of sex trafficking trial

Diddy has pleaded not guilty to five counts, including sex trafficking, and if convicted on all counts, he could face decades in prison.

Sean “Diddy” Combs rejected a plea deal from federal prosecutors at a hearing on Thursday in his sex trafficking case, which is set to begin on May 5.

After asking Diddy to confirm if he was of sound mind and not on any drugs, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, who is overseeing his trial in New York, asked the rapper about the plea deal.

“Have you rejected the government’s offer?” Subramanian asked him, according to NBC News.

“Yes, your honour,” Diddy replied.

Maurene Comey, a prosecutor with the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s office, said the rejected deal would have allowed for reduced prison time, but other details of the deal were not shared.

Diddy has previously pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. If he’s convicted on all counts, he has the potential to remain behind bars for life.

He wore olive-coloured clothing over a white thermal shirt as he entered the courtroom and waved at his supporters in the gallery before hugging his lawyers.

During the hearing, Subramanian also denied the request from Diddy’s counsel to exclude the security camera footage CNN obtained of Diddy violently attacking former girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a hallway of a Los Angeles hotel in 2016.