By Germania Rodriguez Poleo, Chief U.S. Reporter Published: 07:50 EDT, 17 September 2024 | Updated: 10:02 EDT, 17 September 2024
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was arrested overnight in New York after traveling voluntarily to the city, according to his attorney.He has been charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution, TMZ reported. Officials have not released details of the charges against the star but are expected to unseal his indictment later today.Combs, 54, was staying at the at the Park Hyatt hotel in midtown Manhattan when he was arrested and is reportedly being held at an FBI field office.The rapper, formerly known as Puff Daddy, is expected to appear in front of a federal judge.Over the past year, Combs has been sued by people who say he subjected them to physical or sexual abuse. He has denied many of those allegations and his lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, called the new indictment an ‘unjust prosecution.’Diddy accused of pattern of abuse The music mogul was due in court Tuesday on federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges that accuse him of hitting and abusing women for over a decade and presiding over an empire of sexual crimes.He ‘engaged in a persistent and pervasive pattern of abuse toward women and other individuals,’ according to an indictment unsealed Tuesday.Detailing allegations dating to 2009, the indictment accuses him of abusing, threatening and coercing women for years ‘to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct.’The indictment accuses Combs of striking, punching and dragging women on numerous occasions, throwing objects and kicking them — and enlisting his personal assistants, security and household staff to help hide it all.’Head of a criminal enterprise’The indictment describes Combs as the head of a criminal enterprise engaged in or attempting to engage in activities including sex trafficking, forced labor, interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution, drug offenses, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice.Indictment reveals details of claims against Diddy TMZ reports Diddy has been charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution.The indictement reportedly incluides alleged crimes by Diddy dating back to 2009.Diddy’s entourage is accused of sex trafficking, forced labor, interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution, coercion and enticement to engage in prostitution, narcotics offenses, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice.Rapper sued by Danity Kane’s Dawn Richard this monthRichard claims that she was ‘manipulated’ by Combs on promises that he would help her music career.Diddy was ordered to pay $100million in Michigan lawsuitA Michigan judge this month ordered Combs to pay $100 million to Derrick Lee Smith, who said Combs drugged and sexually assaulted him at a party almost 30 years ago, after Combs failed to show up to defend himself in court.A lawyer for Combs said he would seek to dismiss that judgment.Diddy seen with his lawyer and son in Central Park before arrestNewsNation obtained a photo of the music mogul at Central park on Friday.He was seen with his lawyer and his son Christian ‘King’ Combs.Diddy will plead not guiltyThe music mogul’s lawyer told CNN that Combs will plead not guilty to the charges against him.Marc Agnifilo said Combs will fight the charges with ‘all his might.’Combs is expected to arrive in court any moment now.Diddy’s lawyer believes he’s being charged with sex trafficking and racketeeringMarc Agnifilo told NEWSWALLA that he believes Combs is being charged with racketeering and sex trafficking.Combs’ arrest follows federal raids at his homes in Los Angeles and Miami in March.Combs’ lawyer says ‘he is not a criminal’The rapper’s attorney Marc Agnifilo said in a statement: ‘We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. ‘Sean “Diddy” Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to uplift the Black community.”He is an imperfect person but is not criminal. To his credit Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court.’Diddy’s apology videoIn May, CNN aired 2016 hotel security video that showed Combs punching, kixcking and dragging his then-girlfriend, the R& B singer Cassie.The incident closely matched a description in a lawsuit that Cassie, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura.A few days after the video’s airing, Combs posted an apology video on social media saying he was ‘truly sorry’ and that his actions were ‘inexcusable.’Rapper’s homes raided in MarchMonths before his arrest, Diddy’s homes in Miami and Los Angeles were raised by federal agents as part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation.Diddy was ‘caught off guard’NBC reports that Combs was surprised when he was arrested on Monday at the Manhattan hotel where he had been staying.Combs’ attorney claims the rapper had ‘relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges.’Diddy seen posing with fans before arrestDiddy spent Monday morning relaxing on the turf in New York’s Central Park before meeting up with his son Christian to wander the streets of Manhattan.Adoring fans ran up to snap selfies and shake the hand of their idol, who flashed a prized smile from behind a pair of thick superstar sunglasses as he revelled in the attention.Sean Diddy Combs’ arrest sparks wild reaction on social media: ‘He’s gonna love prison’Diddy’s previous legal troublesIn 2001, Diddy was acquitted of charges related to a Manhattan nightclub shooting two years earlier that injured three people. His then-protege, Shyne, was convicted of assault and other charges and served about eight years in prison.Aubrey O’Day comments on Diddy’s arrestThe former Danity Kane star has been a vocal critic of Combs.Diddy seen relaxing in Central Park before arrestA look back at claims against DiddyA woman said Combs raped her two decades ago when she was 17.A music producer sued, saying Combs forced him to have sex with prostitutes.Another woman, April Lampros, said Combs subjected her to ‘terrifying sexual encounters,’ starting when she was a college student in 1994.Former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard said he groped her and threatened her when she worked for him from 2005 to 2012.Cassie’s lawyer declines to commentIn November, Diddy’s former girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie, filed a lawsuit saying he had beaten and raped her for years. The suit was settled in one day but months later CNN aired hotel security footage showing Combs punching and kicking Cassie and throwing her on the floor in Los Angeles.Cassie’s lawyer Douglas Wigdor has said, ‘In response to the numerous inquiries we have received regarding the indictment of Sean Combs, neither Ms. Ventura nor I have any comment.’
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Diddy arrest latest: Sean Combs is charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and prostitution offenses