Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested on federal charges at a hotel in New York City as part of a sex trafficking investigation. Homeland Security agents took him into custody after a grand jury indictment. According to a source, Diddy cooperated and came to New York voluntarily, knowing the charges were coming. He was being processed at a federal building in New York, but the specific charges are not yet clear. He is expected to appear in court on Tuesday.
“We are disappointed that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has decided to go forward with what we believe is an unfair case against Mr. Combs,” said Marc Agnifilo, Diddy’s lawyer.
He added, “Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is a music icon, self-made businessman, loving father, and philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building his career, caring for his children, and helping the Black community. He’s not perfect, but he’s not a criminal. Mr. Combs has fully cooperated with the investigation and even moved to New York last week, knowing these charges were coming.”
Agnifilo also said, “Please hold off on making any judgments until you know all the facts. These actions show that Mr. Combs is innocent and has nothing to hide. He looks forward to proving his innocence in court.”
Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is 54, has been facing sexual misconduct allegations since his ex-girlfriend, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, sued him in November 2023. Ventura, who is 38, claimed that Diddy regularly abused and mistreated her during their 10-year relationship, including allegedly forcing her to have sex with male prostitutes.
The singer of “Me & U” also accused Combs of raping her in 2018 before they officially broke up.
The lawsuit was settled privately just a day after it was filed. At the time, Combs denied the accusations. However, in May, surveillance footage showed Combs physically abusing Ventura at a hotel in March 2016.
A few days later, Combs addressed the violent behavior in a video he posted on Instagram.
He said, “My behavior in that video is unacceptable. I fully take responsibility for what I did and I’m very ashamed.”
He added, “I’ve sought professional help, started therapy and rehab, and asked God for mercy and grace.”
After Ventura’s lawsuit, more people came forward with similar claims. Joi Dickerson-Neal said Combs raped and drugged her when she was a college student at Syracuse University in 1991.
Liza Gardner also accused Combs of raping her in the early 1990s when she was 16, according to Rolling Stone.
Combs is facing several other lawsuits accusing him of gang rape, sex trafficking, and racketeering.
In March, Homeland Security raided Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami as part of the sex trafficking investigation.
During the raids, Combs’ sons, Justin and Christian, were seen handcuffed outside his $40 million mansion in LA.
At that time, Combs was at the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport, getting ready to fly to the Bahamas with his twin daughters, Jessie and D’Lila, according to sources.