Sean "Diddy" Combs arrested in New York, investigations into sexual assault, trafficking continue

Rapper Sean Combs, also known by his stage name Diddy, formerly Puff Daddy and P. Diddy, 54, was detained at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Manhattan on Monday night, according to his legal team.

This arrest comes as Combs faces an array of lawsuits and a federal investigation.

Lawyers representing several individuals who have accused the rapper of sexual misconduct welcomed the arrest, calling it a critical step toward justice.

In a statement, attorneys Rodney Diggs and Tyrone Blackburn, who represent some of Combs's accusers, said, "The evidence is very clear and it was only a matter of time. This is an important step towards justice for all of Mr. Combs' victims, including our clients."

Details about the specific charges remain unclear, but Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), stated that the arrest was based on a sealed indictment, with more information to be disclosed when the document is unsealed.

Combs’s attorney, Marc Agnifilo, expressed disappointment in the decision to pursue what he described as an "unjust prosecution" of his client.

Agnifilo emphasized that Combs had been cooperative throughout the investigation and had voluntarily relocated to New York in anticipation of the charges.

He urged the public to withhold judgment until all the facts come to light, asserting that his client is innocent and looks forward to clearing his name in court.

The federal investigation into Combs became public in March when authorities executed search warrants at his Los Angeles and Miami properties.

The investigation centers around allegations of sex trafficking, sexual assault, and the solicitation and distribution of illegal drugs and firearms.

One of the most prominent accusations came from R&B singer Casandra Ventura, better known as Cassie, who filed a lawsuit against Combs in 2023. The lawsuit accused the rapper of years of abuse, including beatings and rape.

The suit was later settled, but Combs apologized for his behavior after a video surfaced showing him allegedly assaulting Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016.

Following Cassie's suit, more claims emerged.

Two women accused Combs of sexual assault, while a music producer alleged that the rapper pressured him into soliciting prostitutes.

Combs and his legal team have consistently denied the majority of these allegations.