Rap Mogul Sean Combs Arrested For Sex Trafficking & Kidnapping After New Federal Indictment

On Monday night, Homeland Security arrested Sean Combs in the lobby of the Hyatt Park Hotel in Manhattan. The music mogul was unsurprised by the arrest and had returned to New York in full cooperation with the authorities.

Combs’ defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo said, “We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution.” His arrest was reportedly meant to occur on Tuesday, but due to unknown circumstances, it came earlier. 

A grand jury indictment brought by the Justice Department’s New York Southern District office prompted the arrest, following months of an ongoing investigation into Combs and his enterprises, including Bad Boy Records and Revolt TV & Media. 

In March, Homeland Security raided his homes in Los Angeles and Miami. The raid was described as “nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits” by Aaron Dyer. 

A few months later, CNN released security footage from the now-closed Intercontinental Hotel. The video showed Combs kicking and dragging his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. 

The video sparked a wave of public cancellations for the musician. Howard University rescinded Combs’ honorary degree, and the New York City mayor ordered him to return his keys to the city.

Close to a year ago, Ventura filed a lawsuit alleging rape, forced sex with prostitutes and drugging. Combs was accused of psychological abuse, like forcing Ventura to call him “Pops,” the nickname she used for her grandfather, and blowing up her current boyfriend Meek Mill’s car. 

The R&B star settled the lawsuit within 24 hours. But it set off a wave of investigations that led to his downfall. In the following months, Combs was hit with nine lawsuits from different women and two lawsuits from male victims, all claiming alleged sexual abuse by Combs. Most recently, Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith filed a $100 million default lawsuit against Diddy, accusing him of a sexual assault that took place in 1997.

The indictment, which was released to the public earlier today, charged him with sex trafficking, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice. It claimed he used his empire to help facilitate crimes, using employees to keep secrets and set up illicit activities. 

The indictment covers a variety of Combs’ alleged crimes. Most notably, it accuses Combs of holding forced sexual parties, which are referenced in both Ventura’s lawsuit and the federal indictment as “freak-offs.” According to the indictment, freak-offs were “elaborate and produced sex performances that Combs arranged, directed, masturbated during, and often electronically recorded.” 

Agnifilo claims that his client “is an imperfect person but is not criminal” and that he is a “loving family man” and “a proven philanthropist.”