Sean Diddy' Combs INSIDE HIS SHOCKING SEX CHIME 'CHARGES

THE RAPPER AND MOGUL NOW SITS BEHIND BARS, ACCUSED OF RUNNING A CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE RESPONSIBLE FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING, KIDNAPPING, ARSON AND MORE WHILE ABUSING NUMEROUS PEOPLE. WHAT'S NEXT AS HE VOWS TO FIGHT THE ALLEGATIONS

- LIAM QUINN

Sean "Diddy" Combs had known for months that federal authorities were closing in. Still, his arrest on Sept. 16 came as a surprise, his legal team explained in a court document: He planned that night to view an apartment in New York City, where he'd relocated to cooperate with authorities-before Homeland Security agents detained him in the lobby of his five-star Manhattan hotel instead. The next day, one of the music industry's most powerful figures pleaded not guilty to a sweeping indictment charging him with sex trafficking, racketeering and transporting someone to engage in prostitution-all related to an alleged criminal enterprise that prosecutors say he used to abuse numerous people for at least 15 years.

As Combs, 54, exited a Manhattan federal courtroom after his Sept. 17 arraignment, the father of seven turned to some of his family, including his three adult sons in the third row of the gallery, and touched his hand to his heart twice. He returned to court the following day, asking for release on $50 million bond to avoid what his lawyers called "horrific" conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. "He is very worried about his family and his children and continues to seek spiritual counsel," says a source familiar with his mindset. But the judge was unswayed, finding nothing "to ensure he will not obstruct justice or tamper with witnesses."

Through his representatives-who confirmed he was temporarily placed on routine, precautionary suicide watch in custody-Combs has adamantly denied wrongdoing, and he is appealing to seek bail. "I expect a long battle with a good result," his lawyer Marc Agnifilo told reporters, adding in a statement to People that Combs "is an imperfect person but he is not a criminal.... He looks forward to clearing his name." Prosecutors, however, have said they are prepared to call "dozens of witnesses and victims” and have collected records from more than 100 sources.