Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Arrested In Manhattan After Federal Indictment By Grand Jury
Sean Combs, also known as Diddy, the influential music executive known for his extensive career, was taken into custody at a Manhattan hotel on Monday night following an federal indictment by a grand jury. The indictment’s details remain confidential, but his attorney, Marc Agnifilo, speculated that the charges may include racketeering and sex trafficking.
In response, Combs’s legal team spoke to ABC News reporters and expressed disappointment over the decision to prosecute, highlighting his cooperation with the investigation and his recent move to New York in preparation for potential charges. The statement from Combs’s representatives characterized him as a committed family man and philanthropist, arguing that while he may be flawed, he is not a criminal.
Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that the indictment’s details would be made public soon. Combs, 54, known in the music industry as Diddy and Puff Daddy, was arrested by Homeland Security Investigations at the Park Hyatt New York around 8:30 p.m. He is expected to remain in custody overnight and face arraignment on Tuesday.
Since then, Damien William has spoken with CNN during a news conference giving more details on Sean “Diddy” Combs Indictment
Combs’s arrest marks a significant moment, being the highest-profile music figure to face criminal charges related to sexual misconduct since R. Kelly’s high-profile convictions.
Combs was instrumental in the rise of hip-hop during the 1990s and 2000s, promoting artists like the Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige. However, his reputation has been marred by a lawsuit filed last November by a former partner and singer Casandra Ventura, better known as Cassie, who accused him of years of abuse. Combs settled this lawsuit quickly but has faced additional legal challenges, including multiple lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct, which his legal team disputes.
Earlier this year, federal agents along with homeland security conducted raids on Combs’s properties in Los Angeles and Miami Beach, seizing electronic devices and investigating potential human trafficking. The raids were part of a broader investigation involving allegations of sexual misconduct.
Combs, a key figure in hip-hop’s commercialization through his Bad Boy Entertainment label and a larger-than-life media persona, has recently faced a series of legal setbacks. He has sold off parts of his business interests and faced public scrutiny, especially after Ventura’s lawsuit. The accusations include severe claims such as sex trafficking and forced sexual encounters, which Combs has denied.
His legal team asserts that the lawsuits are unfounded and damaging to his reputation. In the wake of these allegations, Combs’s business ventures like his Ciroc deal with Diageo and personal assets have been affected, with notable sales and the end of partnerships. As the investigation continues, federal authorities remain tight-lipped, quietly gathering evidence and witness testimonies.
