Sean “P. Diddy” Combs was arrested in Manhattan on Monday and has now been indicted by a grand jury on federal charges, including racketeering, conspiracy, and sex trafficking, dating back to 2008. This comes after Diddy faced a series of lawsuits alleging sexual and physical abuse, mostly of women and girls, some of whom were signed to his record label, Bad Boy Records.
Bad Boy Recording artist and Diddy’s ex-girlfriend, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, filed the first Diddy suit alleging physical and sexual abuse in late 2023, which Diddy settled out of court. Joi Dickerson-Neal filed the next suit, which alleged that in the `90s, Combs drugged and sexually assaulted her, and allegedly taped the incident for “revenge porn.” Another suit was from an unnamed woman who alleged that Combs sexually assaulted her twice, once with another man present. Combs is accused of physically assaulting her, putting his hands around her neck until she passed out.
Diddy’s former producer, Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, also filed a suit with similar allegations. Dawn Richard of the musical group Danity Kane, with whom Combs worked on the reality show Making the Band, among other projects, filed the most recent suit against the musician just a week before Diddy was arrested.
Diddy denied all accusations, but in March 2024, federal agents raided Diddy’s homes in Miami and Los Angeles, confiscating electronic devices and other evidence. In May, CNN released hotel surveillance footage showing Diddy assaulting Cassie Ventura. At that time, Diddy apologized and called the behavior “inexcusable” on social media, and said he would seek help.
Was Diddy taken into federal custody?
Now facing federal charges, Diddy was arrested in New York on Monday at a hotel where he was staying. Before that point, Diddy faced civil suits and remained free. The indictment states that Diddy and his associates were involved in “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.”
Prosecutors say the hip-hop mogul controlled victims through drug use, threats to take away financial support or housing, and promises of career opportunities. Diddy allegedly monitored their whereabouts and sometimes dictated what the victims wore and how they looked, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams said at a press conference when Diddy’s indictment was announced.
Federal authorities have confirmed that in the March raid on Diddy’s homes, in addition to electronic devices, they recovered cash, guns, and ammunition. They also confiscated items used in what Diddy called “freak offs,” or sex parties lasting several days involving commercial sex workers, sometimes transported across state lines, according to CNN. Trusted Diddy associates were also involved in the musician’s criminal activities, authorities said.
Where is Diddy locked up now?
Reportedly, Diddy, 54, had been staying at the Park Hyatt Hotel on West 57th Street in New York City for several weeks before he was arrested. Diddy reportedly cooperated with the authorities and had relocated to New York expecting the charges. At this writing, Diddy remains in custody, and authorities said they planned to keep him detained until his trial, according to CNN. The date for Diddy’s first court appearance, and which correctional facility the music star is being held, is unclear.
According to federal authorities, the investigation into Diddy’s alleged crimes was ongoing. “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,” New York US Attorney Southern District Attorney Damian Williams said. Williams’ office, he added, “is determined to investigate and prosecute anyone who engages in sex trafficking no matter how powerful, wealthy or famous you may be. No one should doubt our commitment on that.”