Sean “Diddy” Combs, the prominent music mogul, was arrested on Monday in New York City following an indictment issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. The indictment, made public on Tuesday morning, outlined serious federal charges against the hip-hop star, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking through force, fraud, or coercion, and transporting individuals for the purpose of prostitution.
Prosecutors allege that Combs engaged in long-term abusive behavior, threatening and coercing women and others to serve his sexual needs, maintain his reputation, and cover up his actions. Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, maintains that his client is innocent, calling the music producer “an innocent man with nothing to hide.”
On Tuesday, Combs appeared in court to face federal charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, which reportedly span over a decade. According to the indictment, Combs fostered a pervasive pattern of abuse and coercion toward women since 2008. He is accused of manipulating women and male sex workers into drug-induced, prolonged sexual performances, which were referred to as “Freak Offs.” These performances sometimes lasted for days, with many of them recorded. The indictment also made indirect reference to a widely discussed assault on Combs’ former girlfriend, singer Cassie, which was reportedly captured on video.
Over the last year, Combs has faced multiple civil lawsuits, with various individuals accusing him of physical or sexual abuse. Outside the courthouse on Tuesday, his lawyer expressed confidence that Combs would plead not guilty and fight to secure his release from custody. Agnifilo stated, “His spirits are good. He’s confident.”
The indictment further accuses Combs of repeatedly assaulting women—punching, striking, and dragging them—while relying on his staff, including personal assistants and security, to help cover up his actions. Combs is said to have led a criminal enterprise that engaged in activities such as sex trafficking, forced labor, drug crimes, kidnapping, and more.
The “Freak Offs” were described as elaborate sexual performances orchestrated by Combs, who not only arranged them but also recorded the events and coerced participants by controlling their careers, supplying drugs, and using violence. During law enforcement raids on his Miami and Los Angeles homes earlier this year, authorities seized narcotics and over a thousand bottles of lubricant and baby oil, underscoring the accusations of sexual misconduct.
Once regarded as a titan in the music and entertainment industries, Combs, now 54, has seen his reputation severely tarnished due to the numerous accusations against him. Last November, his ex-girlfriend Cassie, legally known as Casandra Ventura, filed a lawsuit accusing him of years of abuse, including coercing her and others into non-consensual, drug-fueled sexual encounters. Although the lawsuit was settled within a day, the allegations gained more attention when a CNN report later aired security footage showing Combs physically assaulting Cassie in a hotel.
The indictment does not name Ventura directly but references the hotel incident, noting that Combs attempted to bribe a security staff member to keep quiet. Combs has denied these and other allegations made by several plaintiffs in various lawsuits.
Douglas Wigdor, Cassie’s attorney, declined to comment on the latest developments, stating that “neither Ms. Ventura nor I have any comment.”
Other accusations against Combs include claims by a woman who said he raped her when she was 17, and a lawsuit from a music producer who alleges that Combs forced him to have sex with prostitutes. Another woman, April Lampros, accused Combs of forcing her into distressing sexual encounters starting in 1994 when she was in college.
Despite the mounting allegations, Combs has faced legal battles before and walked away unscathed. In 2001, he was acquitted of charges stemming from a 1999 nightclub shooting in Manhattan that injured three people. His former protégé, Shyne, however, was convicted and served about eight years in prison.
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