The music mogul has been arrested on racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges and is being held without bail.
September 17, 2024 at 7:19 p.m. EDT
A grand jury has indicted rapper and music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs on charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, according to a federal document unsealed Tuesday. The charges are based on 16 years of allegations and long-standing rumors that Combs used his influence to physically and sexually abuse women.
Combs was arrested Monday evening and is being held without bail, marking a shocking turn for a figure once at the pinnacle of entertainment and celebrity.
The indictment accuses Combs of running a criminal enterprise through his lifestyle, media, and music companies. His security, personal assistants, and staff allegedly played key roles, helping him abuse, threaten, and coerce women to “fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his actions,” the court filing states.
The crimes alleged include sex trafficking, drug distribution, arson, and kidnapping. Many occurred at illegal sex parties, which Combs reportedly called "freak offs." During these parties, Combs is accused of throwing objects at victims and dragging them by their hair, while his associates recruited male sex workers, booked hotel suites, and provided narcotics such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and oxycodone to force partygoers into sex, according to the indictment.
Combs’ staff allegedly managed victim travel and arranged IV fluids for recovery after drug use and physical abuse, all under his orders. The indictment also claims that these parties were recorded, and Combs used the footage to blackmail victims into silence.
“This office is committed to investigating and prosecuting anyone involved in sex trafficking, regardless of their power, wealth, or fame,” said Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. “A year ago, Sean Combs was given the key to New York City in Times Square. Today, he’s been indicted and will face justice.”
Sean "Diddy" Combs’ rise — from record label intern to talent director, party host to fashion icon, and rookie rapper to industry elder statesman — set a blueprint for artists seeking more than just a music career.
However, his legacy has been dramatically reshaped over the past year following multiple sexual assault lawsuits and the release of a shocking video showing Combs physically assaulting his then-girlfriend, singer Cassie, in a Los Angeles hotel hallway. His arrest came nearly a year after the first of 10 sexual assault suits were filed and six months after DHS raided his Los Angeles and Miami mansions. While the nature of the raids wasn’t confirmed at the time, a law enforcement official, speaking anonymously, told The Washington Post that they were part of a sex-trafficking investigation.
“We are disappointed by the U.S. attorney’s decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs. Sean 'Diddy' Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and philanthropist who has spent 30 years building an empire, raising his children, and uplifting the Black community,” said Combs' attorney, Marc Agnifilo, in a statement.
“He is imperfect, but he is not a criminal,” Agnifilo added.
No comments: