Sean Combs, the renowned music and fashion mogul, was arrested at a Manhattan hotel on Monday evening following an indictment by a grand jury. While the indictment remains sealed, Marc Agnifilo, Combs’ attorney, indicated that his client is likely facing charges of racketeering and sex trafficking.
In a statement released by Combs’ legal team, they expressed disappointment with the decision to proceed with charges, emphasizing his cooperation with the investigation. According to the statement, Combs “voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges.”
“Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and a proven philanthropist,” the statement read. “While he is not perfect, he is not a criminal.”
The U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, confirmed that more details about the indictment would be revealed when it is unsealed on Tuesday.
Combs, 54, who has also gone by the stage names Diddy and Puff Daddy, was taken into custody by officers from Homeland Security Investigations at around 8:30 p.m. at the Park Hyatt New York, where he was staying. He is expected to remain in custody overnight before being arraigned in court.
This marks one of the highest-profile arrests in the music industry related to sexual misconduct since R&B artist R. Kelly, who was sentenced to over 30 years in prison for child sex crimes, racketeering, and sex trafficking.
Combs has been a pivotal figure in the rise of hip-hop since the 1990s, managing artists such as the Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige. However, his public image has faced scrutiny since November, when his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, accused him of years of sexual and physical abuse in a civil lawsuit. Although that lawsuit was quickly settled, Combs denied the accusations.
Over the following months, five additional women came forward with lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct, which Combs’ legal team continues to challenge in court.
In March, federal agents conducted raids at Combs’ properties in Los Angeles and Miami Beach, seizing electronic devices. Although no official announcements were made at the time, sources revealed that the investigation was linked to human trafficking allegations.
