Music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs was arrested in New York City on Monday night by federal agents, according to sources from Homeland Security Investigations, confirmed by ABC News.
Federal agents took Combs into custody at the Park Hyatt hotel in Midtown Manhattan, as part of an investigation led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY). Combs will remain in federal custody overnight and is expected to appear in court on Tuesday.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams confirmed Combs’ arrest, stating that it followed a sealed indictment filed by a federal grand jury in Manhattan. “We expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time,” Williams said in a brief statement. The specific charges against Combs remain sealed, with more details anticipated after the indictment is made public.
Legal Response
Marc Agnifilo, Combs’ lawyer, responded to the news, criticizing the federal charges. “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,” he said. Agnifilo emphasized Combs’ contributions to the music industry, his role as a father, and his work uplifting the Black community, while stating that Combs has fully cooperated with the investigation. “Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide,” Agnifilo added.
Federal Investigation Into Allegations
Combs has been under federal investigation for nearly a year after allegations were brought forward by his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in a civil lawsuit. Since then, at least 10 additional lawsuits have followed, although Combs has denied all accusations.
Earlier this year, Combs' properties in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by federal agents. Electronic devices were seized as part of what sources described as a federal sex trafficking investigation. These searches were linked to the ongoing investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and SDNY prosecutors.
In March, Homeland Security Investigations confirmed that their agents had carried out court-authorized searches of Combs’ homes as part of an ongoing investigation. During these raids, a number of electronic devices were confiscated as evidence. The investigation continues, and the nature of the charges may become clearer once the indictment is unsealed.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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