SEAN “Diddy” Combs has been charged with sex trafficking following a months-long federal investigation that culminated with his arrest in New York City on Monday night.
The 54-year-old music mogul was held in custody overnight after Homeland Security Investigations officers arrested him at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Manhattan.
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The federal indictment detailing the charges was unsealed at Combs’ arraignment on Tuesday.
Combs is charged with three counts in total: racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
The indictment alleges that Combs “abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct.”
The rapper’s reputation as a hitmaker has been tainted in the past year by several sexual assault lawsuits, a violent surveillance video showing him beating his ex-girlfriend, and the federal sex trafficking probe.
HSI – the lead investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security – handles transnational crime cases, including human trafficking, terrorism, and drug smuggling.
An attorney for Combs, who brought through artists such as Usher, Notorious B.I.G., and Mary J Blige, said the producer has been in New York since last week.
Marc Agnifilo earlier told CNN that the musician had “voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges.”
He added that his client has “nothing to hide.”
Agnifilo described Combs as “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 criminal,” he added.
Since last November, Combs has faced 10 lawsuits, with nine directly accusing him of sexual assault.
Combs became the subject of a months-long sex trafficking probe by the HSI earlier this year, culminating in dramatic searches of two of his properties in Los Angeles and Miami in March.
Law enforcement said the federal probe came from many of the sexual assault allegations in several civil lawsuits made against the producer.
But the investigation is also believed to go much further and includes allegations of drugs, money laundering, and sex trafficking.
A lawyer for one of the alleged victims has spoken out.
Attorney Rodney Diggs, speaking on behalf of Grace O’Marcaigh, who is suing Combs and his son Christian, said: “The long-awaited arrest of Sean Combs is the first step for our clients receiving justice.
“We leave the criminal aspect of this case in the hands of the people and justice system.
“As for the civil cases, we await our time for the facts to reveal themselves and seek the justice our clients deserve.
“We also anticipate more victims coming forward. We knew this was coming. The evidence is very clear and it was only a matter of time.
“This is an important step towards justice for all of Mr. Combs’ victims including my clients. Justice will prevail.”
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