Sean Diddy Combs was arrested on Monday, September 16, 2024 at the Park Hyatt Hotel located on 57th Street in Manhattan. Homeland Security Investigations agents took him into custody around 8:15 p.m. His arrest followed negotiations between his legal team and authorities, who had been preparing for his surrender.
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Sean Diddy Combs’ arrest is tied to an indictment, which was voted on the same day and is expected to be unsealed soon. As of now, the specific charges leading to his arrest remain undisclosed.
US Attorney Damian Williams from the Southern District of New York is expected to provide details once the indictment is revealed.
Marc Agnifilo, Combs’ attorney expressed disappointment over the decision to arrest his client, stating that it was part of an unjust prosecution by the US Attorney’s Office.
Agnifilo said that Sean Diddy Combs had been fully cooperating with the investigation and had voluntarily relocated to New York in anticipation of the charges.
Sean Diddy Combs’ legal team continues to assert his innocence with Agnifilo urging the public to withhold judgment until all facts are made clear.
Over the past year, Sean Diddy Combs has faced numerous civil lawsuits with allegations ranging from sexual assault to trafficking. As of August 2024, a total of ten lawsuits had been filed against him, nine of which directly accuse him of sexual misconduct.
Sean Diddy Combs became the target of a federal investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations. This probe focused on sex trafficking, money laundering and drug-related activities, resulted in searches of his Los Angeles and Miami homes in March 2024.
Several accusers, who have filed civil suits against Combs have reportedly met with federal investigators as part of the investigation.
The federal probe stems from various sexual assault claims against Combs. Some of these claims have now escalated into allegations of sex trafficking.
As part of the investigation, federal agents raided Combs’ properties in Los Angeles and Miami. It was later revealed that accusers had testified before a federal grand jury.
Sean Diddy Combs has consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing. Despite the legal challenges, his legal team continues to argue that the charges are baseless and that Combs looks forward to clearing his name in court.
The federal investigation became public knowledge in March 2024 when Homeland Security Investigations agents conducted raids on Combs’ properties in Los Angeles and Miami. These raids were reportedly part of a larger investigation into potential sex trafficking, sexual assault and illegal distribution of narcotics and firearms.
Sean Diddy Combs’ legal team led by attorney Aaron Dyer condemned the raids, describing them as an excessive use of force and reiterating their stance that the allegations were meritless.
Since November 2023, Sean Diddy Combs has been embroiled in multiple civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct, abuse and coercion. The wave of lawsuits began with a case brought by Casandra Ventura, Combs’ former girlfriend and protégé, who accused him of years of physical and sexual abuse.
In her lawsuit, Ventura claimed that Sean Diddy Combs had forced her to engage in sex trafficking, compelling her to participate in freak-off parties involving male sex workers. She also accused Sean Diddy Combs of violent behavior including instances of beating and raping her.
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This lawsuit was settled just one day after it was filed, though the terms of the settlement were not disclosed. Combs’ legal team maintained that the settlement was not an admission of guilt.
The allegations did not stop with Ventura. Following her lawsuit, several other women came forward, filing lawsuits accusing Combs of sexual assault including claims of gang rape.
In May 2024, a turning point in Combs’ legal troubles occurred when CNN aired a leaked hotel security video showing Combs physically assaulting Cassie in a hallway.
The footage depicted Sean Diddy Combs kicking, punching and throwing her to the ground. In response to the video, Sean Diddy Combs issued a public apology via Instagram, admitting that his behavior was inexcusable and expressing remorse.
He stated that he had sought therapy to address his actions but removed the video from his page shortly after.
Dawn Richard, a former member of Danity Kane also filed a lawsuit in September 2024. Richard, who worked with Combs between 2005 and 2012, alleged that she had witnessed Combs’ abusive behavior towards Ventura and that she had experienced unwanted sexual advances and threats during her time employed by him.
Richard claimed that Combs groped her and forced her to attend drug-fueled parties where phones were confiscated and she observed underage girls being sexually violated.
The March raids on Combs’ homes in Miami and Los Angeles were part of federal investigation looking into allegations of sex trafficking, narcotics distribution and illegal firearms.
Federal agents reportedly interviewed numerous individuals connected to Combs’ activities, expanding the scope of the investigation beyond the sexual assault claims.
In February 2024, Rodney Jones, a music producer who worked with Combs, filed a lawsuit accusing him of coercing him into hiring prostitutes and pressuring him to engage in sexual activities.
Jones claimed that he had captured hours of footage that could serve as evidence of Combs’ illegal activities.
Sean Diddy Combs has consistently denied all allegations of sexual misconduct, calling the accusations sickening and motivated by individuals seeking financial gain.
His legal team has fought to dismiss the claims, arguing that they are meritless and baseless. Combs has attempted to maintain his innocence publicly, stating that he is prepared to fight for his name, family and truth.
In November 2023, following Cassie’s lawsuit, Howard University severed all ties with Combs, revoking an honorary degree it had awarded him and ending a scholarship program established in his name. Howard University’s decision came after the release of the leaked hotel video.
In June 2024, New York City Mayor Eric Adams requested that Combs return the ceremonial Key to the City, which had been awarded to him in September 2023.
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