Embattled Hip-Hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, who faces sexual assault lawsuits and a federal human trafficking probe, has been arrested in New York.
The criminal charges filed against Diddy are yet to be publicly announced as the indictment is sealed, however a source familiar to the matter told The New York Times that they believed the charges to be connected with racketeering and sex trafficking.
According to reports, Diddy was arrested at the Park Hyatt Hotel on 57th Street in Manhattan and taken into custody by Homeland Security Investigations at approximately 8:15 p.m.
Diddy’s attorney, Marc Agnifilo, said that they “are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
The statement continues: “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. He is an imperfect person, but he Is not a criminal. To his credit Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court.”
US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams confirmed the arrest in a statement on Monday night.
“Earlier this evening, federal agents arrested Sean Combs, based on a sealed indictment filed by the SDNY,” the prosecutor said.
The rapper’s legal problems began in November 2023 when his longtime girlfriend Cassie filed her lawsuit. Two other women filed lawsuits that same week alleging abuse and assault.
Recently, former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard filed a suit against Combs, alleging verbal abuse, assault, sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Combs is currently facing five sexual assault lawsuits and three sexual misconduct lawsuits, which he has repeatedly denied doing.
