Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested in Manhattan on Monday following an extensive sex trafficking investigation and multiple federal raids, per usatoday.com. The US District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) announced the hip-hop mogul’s arrest based on a sealed indictment.
Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, expressed disappointment over the decision, stating that they believe the prosecution is unjust.
While the exact charges remain undisclosed, the indictment is expected to be unsealed on Tuesday. Agnifilo described Combs as a “music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist.” He added that Combs has cooperated fully with the investigation, relocating to New York in anticipation of the charges.
“These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide,” Agnifilo stated.
Combs’ arrest comes after a series of lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault and rape. The Bad Boy Records founder has been embroiled in legal troubles, with multiple alleged victims claiming incidents spanning several decades. Combs has consistently denied all accusations.
Earlier this month, singer Dawn Richard, a former member of Combs’ girl group Danity Kane, sued him for 21 counts, including sexual assault, battery, and gender discrimination. This followed a $100 million judgement awarded to Michigan inmate Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith for an alleged 1997 assault.
Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami were raided in March as part of the ongoing investigation. His legal team criticised the raids as an overuse of force and a “witch hunt.” Meanwhile, Douglas Wigdor, the lawyer for Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, who filed a sexual assault lawsuit against him in November 2023, applauded the federal action, calling it a step toward holding Combs accountable.
