Combs, 54, was arrested by Homeland Security Investigations officers around 8:30 p.m. at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Midtown Manhattan on Monday. He is expected to make his first court appearance today. Marc Agnifilo, Combs’ attorney, said the legal team had brought Combs to New York two weeks earlier in anticipation of the arrest, adding that they had been in negotiations with the U.S. Attorney’s office to arrange a date for his surrender. The arrest follows years of allegations from celebrities in Combs’ orbit, nearly a dozen lawsuits accusing him of sexual abuse and other illicit conduct, and a recent court order requiring him to pay $100 million in a sexual assault case. “For decades, Sean Combs … abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct,” the indictment states. Agnifilo maintains that his client is innocent of all charges.Music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs has been indicted by a grand jury on multiple charges related to an alleged decade-long pattern of human trafficking and violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
According to the newly unsealed 14-page indictment, Combs allegedly ran a "multi-faceted business empire" that served as a "criminal enterprise" involved in a range of crimes, including sex trafficking, interstate transportation for prostitution, narcotics offenses, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice. The indictment alleges that this enterprise included Combs, individuals employed by his businesses, and other unnamed associates, suggesting that more arrests may follow. Combs faces three federal charges: racketeering conspiracy; sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; and transportation for prostitution.Overview of Charges
The indictment claims that Combs and his associates used threats and intimidation to lure female victims into his inner circle under the guise of romantic relationships. Once involved, the women were allegedly coerced into participating in extended sexual acts with male prostitutes at sex parties dubbed “Freak Offs.” These events, described in the indictment as “elaborate, produced sex performances,” were reportedly orchestrated by Combs, who is accused of directing the activities, masturbating during them, and often recording the acts. The recordings were allegedly used as leverage to ensure the victims' silence and continued compliance. Combs is also accused of trafficking commercial sex workers across state and international borders for the parties. The “Freak Offs” reportedly occurred regularly, sometimes lasting for multiple days, and involved numerous sex workers. During these parties, Combs allegedly provided drugs to the victims and kept video recordings of their sexual activities. Afterward, both Combs and the victims would reportedly receive intravenous fluids to recover from drug use and physical exhaustion. In a March raid on Combs' homes in Miami and Los Angeles, law enforcement seized what they described as “Freak Off supplies,” including drugs and over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant. Separate from the parties, Combs is also accused of physically assaulting victims, including hitting, kicking, dragging them by their hair, and throwing objects at them — sometimes resulting in injuries that took days or weeks to heal. The indictment further claims that Combs threatened the victims’ careers and livelihoods to coerce their participation in the sex parties.“Freak Offs” Allegations
Since 2009, the indictment outlines several instances in which Combs allegedly assaulted women, including hitting, punching, dragging, and kicking them. Some of these assaults were reportedly witnessed by others, including one incident at a Los Angeles hotel where security footage later showed Combs kicking and dragging a woman, as well as throwing a vase at her as she tried to leave. Combs is also alleged to have attempted to bribe hotel security to keep quiet about the incident. Members of Combs’ alleged criminal enterprise were reportedly armed, brandishing firearms to intimidate victims and witnesses. Investigators recovered firearms, including three AR-15 rifles with defaced serial numbers, during the March raid of Combs' properties. “When employees, witnesses to his abuse, of others threatened Combs’ authority or reputation, Combs and members and associates of the enterprise engaged in acts of violence, threats of violence, threats of financial and reputational harm, and verbal abuse,” the indictment states. “These acts of violence included kidnapping and arson,” it continues. “In addition, on multiple occasions, Combs threw both objects and people, as well as hit, dragged, choked, and shoved others.”Patterns of Violence and Abuse
In 2019, Forbes estimated Combs’ personal wealth at $740 million, though now the publication suggests that figure has fallen to around $400 million. As a result of the racketeering charges, federal authorities are seeking to seize assets connected to Combs and his businesses. This includes any property derived from the alleged crimes, as well as any assets used in or intended to be used in the commission of the offenses, and any proceeds traceable to the criminal activities described in the indictment. Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said during a press conference announcing the indictment, “We are not done. This investigation is ongoing. And I encourage anyone with information about this case to come forward and to do it quickly.” He added, “We are committed to bringing justice to everyone victimized by the defendant. … I’m not taking anything off the table.”Asset Forfeiture
