Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested Monday night in New York City after being indicted on federal charges. The charges, which include allegations of racketeering and sex trafficking, were unsealed Tuesday morning, according to U.S. attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York.
Combs, 54, was taken into custody by Homeland Security Investigations at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Manhattan. His arrest follows a lengthy federal investigation that has centred around multiple sexual assault allegations against him, which have been the subject of several civil lawsuits filed over the past year.
Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, confirmed the arrest and indicated that his client voluntarily relocated to New York in anticipation of the charges. “He came here to surrender at a time agreeable to the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” Agnifilo said, adding that Combs intends to plead not guilty to all charges.
“We knew this was coming,” Agnifilo stated outside the federal courthouse in downtown Manhattan. “Sean is innocent of these charges, and we will fight to prove that in court.”
Federal Indictment Unsealed
The federal indictment, which has now been unsealed, marks a significant development in a case that has attracted media attention for months. Combs has been the subject of several civil lawsuits, many of which have accused him of sexual assault and physical abuse. In November 2023, Combs settled a lawsuit brought by his former girlfriend, singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, who had accused him of rape and years of abuse. Surveillance footage published earlier this year shows Combs physically assaulting Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel in 2016, which has further fueled the public outcry surrounding the case.
The video, which CNN obtained in May, appears to show Combs physically assaulting Ventura in a hotel hallway, directly contradicting his earlier denials of wrongdoing. In response to the footage, Combs publicly apologized on Instagram, acknowledging that his behaviour was “inexcusable.
Background of the Investigation
The federal probe into Combs’ actions has been underway for several months, with authorities conducting raids on his homes in Los Angeles and Miami earlier this year. According to sources, Homeland Security Investigations has led the investigation, which is focused on allegations of human trafficking and other organized criminal activity.
Combs has faced a growing number of lawsuits, many of which accuse him of sexual assault. Nine of the ten lawsuits filed against him since November directly accuse him of sexual misconduct. In addition, several accusers have already met with federal investigators as part of the ongoing investigation.
Attorney Tyrone Blackburn, who represents three of Combs’ accusers, said the arrest represents “the first step toward justice” for his clients. “This is an important step toward justice for all of Mr. Combs’ victims,” Blackburn said.
Next Steps
Combs’ legal team is expected to fight the charges vigorously, with Agnifilo stating that they will seek his release as soon as possible. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has indicated that more information regarding the indictment will be released as the case progresses. As of now, Combs remains in custody in New York City as he awaits his next court appearance.
This marks a major moment in the high-profile case, which has drawn widespread media coverage and speculation about the potential criminal consequences for one of the music industry’s most successful figures.
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