Sean “Diddy” Combs Arrested in New York Amid Federal Sex Trafficking Investigation

Rapper and hip hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, 54, was arrested Monday night at a New York City hotel in connection with a federal sex trafficking investigation, officials confirmed.

Combs voluntarily traveled to the city ahead of his arrest on federal charges, following a grand jury indictment, according to prosecutors and sources close to the case.

Combs, who was seen earlier in the evening walking through Manhattan with his son Christian “King” Combs, was taken into custody at the Park Hyatt New York by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), which typically handles cases related to sex trafficking.

The specific charges Combs faces have not yet been disclosed, but he is expected to be arraigned in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday morning, when the indictment will be unsealed.

“Earlier this evening, federal agents arrested Sean Combs, based on a sealed indictment filed by the Southern District of New York,” Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement. “We expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time.”

Allegations and Investigations

Combs has been the subject of numerous allegations involving sexual and physical abuse, dating back to the height of his fame as a producer for major hip hop artists such as Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil’ Kim, and the late Biggie Smalls in the 1990s and 2000s.

Last November, his former girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie Ventura, filed a lawsuit accusing him of a years-long pattern of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and trafficking.

Although the lawsuit was quickly settled, it led to a wave of additional accusations, with over half a dozen alleged victims filing their own lawsuits against Combs.

In March, federal agents raided Combs’ homes in Beverly Hills and Miami as part of the investigation.

The specific details of what authorities were searching for during the raid have not been disclosed, but sources believe the searches are tied to the ongoing sex trafficking probe.

Ventura’s lawsuit described years of alleged abuse, including beatings, rapes, and being coerced into sex acts with male sex workers while Combs filmed.

In May, CNN aired a clip allegedly showing Combs assaulting Ventura by throwing her to the ground and punching and kicking her. The day after the footage aired, Combs issued a public apology for the incident, marking the first time he acknowledged any wrongdoing.

Accusations Continue to Surface

In addition to Ventura’s lawsuit, several of Combs’ other accusers claim they were drugged and raped, with some alleging that their encounters were filmed without their consent. Many of these accusers have been contacted by federal investigators and may be called to testify before a grand jury.

Combs has repeatedly denied all the allegations, maintaining that the claims are financially motivated. “These allegations are nothing more than attempts to get a quick payday,” Combs previously stated. To date, the only lawsuit he has settled is with Ventura.

Legal Defense and Statement

Following his arrest on Monday night, Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, expressed disappointment with the prosecution’s decision to pursue charges. In a statement, Agnifilo described Combs as a respected figure in the entertainment industry and a dedicated father.

“We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to uplift the Black community,” Agnifilo said.

“He is an imperfect person but is not a criminal. To his credit, Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve your judgment until all the facts are known. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court.”

Next Steps

Combs is set to appear in court on Tuesday morning, where the charges against him will be formally presented. Federal prosecutors are expected to unseal the indictment at that time, providing more clarity on the allegations.

If you have been sexually assaulted and live in New York, you can call 1-800-942-6906 for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the state, you can dial the 24/7 National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.