Sean “P Diddy” Combs, the well-known rapper and hip-hop mogul, was arrested Monday night in New York City as part of an ongoing federal sex trafficking investigation, officials confirmed.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) apprehended Combs at the Park Hyatt New York, where he was staying.
The 54-year-old music icon had reportedly traveled voluntarily to New York in anticipation of the charges, which stem from a sealed grand jury indictment.
Combs was seen earlier in the evening walking with his son, Christian “King” Combs, before HSI agents took him into custody.
BREAKING: New allegations drop against Diddy. He used to be untouchable, but now everyone's coming out of the woodwork. pic.twitter.com/ztHuZun7YZ
— Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) May 22, 2024
The specific charges against Combs have yet to be revealed, but he is expected to be arraigned on Tuesday, at which point the indictment will be unsealed.
Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, confirmed the arrest in a statement, saying, “Earlier this evening, federal agents arrested Sean Combs based on a sealed indictment filed by the SDNY. We expect to unseal the indictment in the morning and will provide further details at that time.”
Combs has faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct throughout his career, dating back to the 1990s when he worked with artists such as Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil’ Kim, and Biggie Smalls.
Last year, his former girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie Ventura, accused him of domestic violence, repeated sexual assault, and trafficking.
Although Combs quickly settled Ventura’s lawsuit, additional women came forward with similar allegations, claiming abuse and exploitation during Combs’ peak years in the entertainment industry.
In March, federal authorities raided Combs’ properties in Beverly Hills and Miami as part of their investigation into the sex trafficking claims. While the exact nature of the raids was not disclosed, they are believed to be connected to the current charges.
Adding to the controversy, a disturbing video surfaced earlier this year showing a 2016 incident in which Combs assaulted Ventura in a hotel hallway.
In response to the footage, Combs publicly apologized and stated that he sought professional help, including therapy and rehab.
As more lawsuits have emerged, Combs’ legal team continues to deny the allegations.
His attorney, Marc Agnifilo, called the charges unjust and urged the public to reserve judgment until all facts are revealed in court. Combs is expected to face ongoing legal challenges as the investigation unfolds.
The indictment is set to be unsealed on Tuesday, providing further details on the case.
