Sean Combs ‘Diddy' Arrested in New York

Sean Combs arrested for sexual assault and human trafficking

“These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide and he looks forward to clearing his name in court.”

Sean 'Diddy' Combs arrested on allegations of sexual assault and human trafficking.

Sean Combs, often known as Diddy, was arrested on Monday, September 16 for suspected sexual assault and people trafficking at the Park Hyatt Hotel on 57th Street in Manhattan, New York.

He is a multi-Grammy award winner, business magnate, and CEO of the Bad Boy record company.

Homeland Security Investigations apprehended Combs around 8:15 p.m. on Monday, September 16.

According to Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, the arrest was made in response to an indictment that was made public on Monday, September 16 in the morning.

“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,” Marc Agnifilo, an attorney for Combs said.

His lawyer added that the musician has been working with the inquiry that led to the indictment and willingly went to New York last week in anticipation of the charges.

His side maintains his innocence and claims he has nothing to conceal.

“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 is not a criminal,” Agnifilo added.

Agnifilo further said, “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.”

The probe has a broader scope, including sex trafficking, money laundering, and illegal narcotics activity.

In November of last year, the rapper was served with ten lawsuits, nine of which expressly accused him of sexual assault.

Several of these accusers have been interrogated by federal agents as part of the broader investigation.

Federal agents were preparing to submit Combs' accusers before a grand jury for testimony in May.

This represented a dramatic escalation in the inquiry, implying that the Justice Department may be considering an indictment against the rapper and businessman.

Combs has continuously denied any misconduct in the numerous lawsuits.

An attorney for three of his accusers, Lil Rod, April Lampros, and Grace O'Marcaig, hailed the arrest as long-awaited.

While the particular evidence and charges that led to Combs' arrest are unknown, he has faced multiple civil cases filed in the last year, nearly all of which allege sexual assault.

Dawn Richard, a former member of the musical duo Danity Kane, recently filed a complaint in New York accusing the producer of sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and false imprisonment, among other claims.

In the case, Richard also claimed she witnessed Combs viciously beating his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, who filed and quickly settled her own lawsuit against him in November 2023.

Erica Wolff, one of Combs' attorneys, denied Richard's assertions in a statement, implying that Richard may have a financial motivation.

Aubrey O'Day, another former member of Danity Kane, responded to the rapper's arrest in a post on X Monday night.

“The purpose of Justice is to provide an ending and allow us the space to create a new chapter.

“Women never get this.

“I feel validated.

“Today is a win for women all over the world, not just me.

“Things are finally changing,” O'Day wrote.

Since the raids on his Los Angeles and Miami mansions in March, which followed a lawsuit brought against him by Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, the music entrepreneur has come under heightened scrutiny.

Combs is accused of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and “grooming” Jones, a former videographer and producer for the rapper.

He also claims to have video and audio recordings of Combs and his employees engaging in significant unlawful behaviours, according to a complaint filed in federal court in New York.

Jones claims that the rapper forced him to seek out and interact with sex workers, intimidated him, and served drug-laced alcoholic beverages to house party participants.

Shawn Holley, the rapper's attorney, denied the charges, calling Jones “a liar.”

“His reckless name-dropping about events that are pure fiction and simply did not happen is nothing more than a transparent attempt to garner headlines.

“We have overwhelming, indisputable proof that his claims are complete lies,” Holley said.

One of the 10 cases against the music mogul lists him as a defendant, but it also includes charges of sexual assault by his son Christian Combs, which were filed by a woman who worked as a yacht crew member.