Sean “Diddy” Combs was taken into custody Monday night by federal authorities in New York, multiple law enforcement sources told CBS News, as part of an ongoing investigation by Homeland Security Investigations. Details of the charges against Combs were not immediately available.
In recent months, the hip-hop mogul has faced multiple accusations of sexual abuse and physical violence. In March, Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by HSI agents and other law enforcement officers because of a possible ongoing sex trafficking investigation, U.S. officials said at the time, but no charges were filed at that time.
“Earlier this evening, federal agents arrested Sean Combs, based on a sealed indictment filed by the SDNY,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York said in a statement. “We expect to unseal the indictment this morning and will have more details to share at that time.”
Homeland Security investigators declined to comment.
“We are disappointed by the decision to pursue what we consider to be an unfair prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” Marc Agnifilo, Combs’ attorney, said in a statement.
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He described Combs as “a music icon, a self-made entrepreneur, a loving family man and a proven philanthropist,” and said, “He’s a flawed person, but he’s not a criminal.”
Agnifilo said Combs “has only cooperated with this investigation and voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve judgment until you have all the facts. These are the actions of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he is eager to clear his name in court.”
Combs has faced a number of legal proceedings In recent months, accusations of sexual misconduct, abuse and violence have been made against Combs and his representatives.
In May, Combs apologized for a security video released by CNN that appeared show him attacking singer Cassiewhose legal name is Casandra Ventura, in the hallway of a Los Angeles hotel in 2016. He said his behavior was “inexcusable” and that he took “full responsibility” for his actions.
In November 2023, Ventura filed a trial accusing her of rape and abuse during their relationship, he denied the accusations. They reached an agreement the next day.
