Federal agencies conduct sweep at NYC jail housing Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs amid safety concerns

Federal investigators from multiple agencies have initiated an “interagency operation” at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, where music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is currently being held.

The operation, which began on Monday, involves personnel from the Bureau of Prisons, the Justice Department’s inspector general’s office, and other law enforcement bodies, aimed at ensuring safety for both staff and inmates at the troubled facility.

In a statement, the Bureau of Prisons emphasized that the operation is “designed to achieve our shared goal of maintaining a safe environment for both our employees and the incarcerated individuals housed at MDC Brooklyn.” However, prison officials did not disclose specific details about the ongoing operation.

Combs’ legal team has been vocal about the dire conditions at MDC, citing rampant violence, deteriorating infrastructure, and even multiple fatalities among the inmate population. As Combs awaits trial on sex trafficking charges set for May, his lawyers have sought bail citing these appalling circumstances.

The heightened scrutiny around the jail follows a series of violent incidents, including the recent charging of nine inmates linked to a wave of attacks between April and August. These incidents have underscored severe safety concerns, with allegations of two inmates being stabbed to death and another assaulted with a makeshift weapon. Additionally, a correctional officer faces charges for an unauthorized high-speed chase during which he allegedly fired at a vehicle.

The facility has been plagued by complaints of overcrowding and staffing shortages, currently housing around 1,200 inmates, including Combs and former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried. The inmate count has decreased from over 1,600 earlier this year, but concerns remain about the jail’s management. Reports indicate that inmates have suffered from frequent lockdowns, limited access to basic needs, and pervasive smuggling of contraband, sometimes involving staff complicity.

On Monday, the Bureau of Prisons reassured that the ongoing operation was pre-planned and that there was “no active threat” at the facility. They stated that further details would be withheld until the operation’s conclusion to ensure the safety and security of personnel and the integrity of the investigation.

Combs, who has been denied bail twice, is now appealing to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for his release, with arguments scheduled for November 4. His attorney Mark Agnifilo has noted that they are adapting to the conditions at MDC, stating, “We’re making a go of the MDC. The MDC has been very responsive for us.” Another attorney, Anthony Ricco, mentioned that while Combs is coping with his situation, “Nobody’s OK with staying in jail for now.”

As the federal investigation unfolds, the spotlight remains on MDC and the urgent need for reforms within a system that has been increasingly under fire for its operational deficiencies and the safety of those confined within its walls.