On Monday, Sean “Diddy” Combs was taken into custody in Manhattan, as a result of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation that included a couple of federal raids.

His lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, conveyed to YSL News, “We are disheartened by the decision of the U.S. Attorney’s Office to pursue what we view as an unjust case against Mr. Combs.”

According to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Combs was arrested based on a sealed indictment. While details regarding the charges remain undisclosed, the indictment is anticipated to be made public Tuesday morning.

Agnifilo elaborated, stating, “Combs is a legendary figure in music, a self-established entrepreneur, a devoted family man, and a charitable benefactor who has dedicated the last three decades to building his business, cherishing his children, and enhancing the Black community. He may not be perfect, but he is not a criminal.”

“Mr. Combs has cooperated fully with this investigation and willingly moved back to New York last week in preparation for these charges. We urge everyone to suspend their judgment until all the facts are revealed. These actions reflect those of an innocent individual who has nothing to conceal, and he is eager to vindicate himself in court.”

Combs’ arrest adds to his mounting legal troubles, as he faces several lawsuits from the past few months alleging that he raped or sexually assaulted various victims over the years. He has denied all accusations.

Allegations against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs from Danity Kane member and others prior to arrest

This month, Combs experienced a setback in his ongoing legal battles when singer Dawn Richard and Michigan inmate Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith initiated legal proceedings against him.

Richard, a former member of the Bad Boy Records girl group Danity Kane, filed a lawsuit on September 10 accusing Combs of 21 counts, including sexual assault, sex trafficking, and infringement of copyright, among other claims.

In her claims, she alleges that Combs misappropriated her work, failed to compensate her, and imposed “inhumane” working conditions on her, including instances of assault, groping, and confinement, over nearly ten years.

Just a day before Richard’s lawsuit was filed, Cardello-Smith was awarded a default civil judgment of $100 million for an alleged sexual assault from 1997. His lawsuit was initiated in June. In reaction, Combs filed two emergency motions on September 12 seeking to overturn the hefty judgment and the restraining order tied to this case.

Furthermore, two women who allege they were sexually assaulted by Combs in the mid-’90s and early 2000s filed lawsuits against him in May.

Federal raids conducted at Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ residences

In March, reports indicated that U.S. Homeland Security searched two of Combs’ homes as part of a federal inquiry.

According to Rolling Stone and local news outlet Fox 11, authorities searched Combs’ Los Angeles residence on March 25. The same day, investigators also examined his home in Miami, as per reports from Rolling Stone, NBC News, and The Associated Press.

When YSL News sought comments concerning the investigation, a spokesperson for Homeland Security Investigations mentioned that “HSI New York executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing inquiry, with support from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners.”

As reported by NBC News, the Los Angeles Times, and the AP, these searches were connected to a continuing sex trafficking investigation in New York. Multiple individuals have been interviewed regarding allegations associated with Combs related to sex trafficking, sexual assault, and other offenses, as confirmed by NBC News and the AP.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ attorney labels home raids a ‘witch hunt’

Aaron Dyer, a lawyer specializing in corporate investigations and white-collar defense, stated on March 26 to YSL News that Combs is innocent and criticized the federal raids.

“There was an excessive application of force when search warrants were carried out at Mr. Combs’ homes,” Dyer expressed. “This unprecedented raid – coupled with a synchronized media presence – promotes a hasty judgment of Mr. Combs and can only be deemed a witch hunt based on baseless claims in civil lawsuits.”

Dyer also noted that none of Combs’ family members faced arrest during the raids.

Attorney for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ ex-girlfriend supports federal investigations following lawsuit

Douglas Wigdor, representing Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, issued a statement on March 25 in response to the news of the search warrants.

In November 2023, Ventura filed a lawsuit against Combs alleging rape, sex trafficking, and physical abuse. The case was settled the day after the claim was lodged, for an undisclosed sum.

“We will always back law enforcement when it aims to hold accountable those who have broken the law,” Wigdor conveyed. “Hopefully, this marks the beginning of a process that will make Mr. Combs accountable for his heinous behavior.”

Contributors: Naledi Ushe and Taijuan Moorman, YSL News