Sean "Diddy" Combs Arrested On Sex Trafficking Charges
Sean "Diddy" Combs has been arrested in New York – here's what you need to know.
It’s been nearly a year since Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura filed a lawsuit against the mogul.
Now, the rapper has been arrested and indicted on serious charges, including conspiracy, sex trafficking, and racketeering. The indictment includes additional allegations that he manipulated and coerced women, using drugs and violence to control them during drug-fueled gatherings he referred to as "Freak-Offs."
The arrest comes after two lawsuits were filed by Ventura and producer Rody "Lil Rod" Jones, Jr., who accused Combs of sexual misconduct and grooming during their professional relationship. Jones alleges repeated unwanted advances, a hostile work environment, and manipulation within the music industry.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said at a press conference on Tuesday morning that the rapper ran a criminal enterprise. "Combs abused, threatened, and coerced victims to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct," Williams said. "[He] used the business empire he controlled to carry out criminal activity including sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice."
According to Reuters, prosecutor Christy Slavik revealed that her team had interviewed 12 witnesses who either observed Combs committing acts of violence against women or witnessed injuries inflicted on women as a result of his abuse. "The defendant Sean Combs physically and sexually abused victims for decades," Slavik said in a plea to the judge to keep Combs detained. "He is extremely dangerous to the community."
Combs' attorney, Marc Agnifilo, denies the allegations despite video evidence of Combs physically abusing Ventura at a hotel, calling the indictment an "unjust prosecution." Agnifilo emphasized that Combs voluntarily moved to New York in anticipation of the charges and expressed confidence that Combs would be released on bail.
The arrest has shocked many in the hip-hop and fashion industries, drawing attention once again to the Epstein case and the criminal networks in Hollywood.
Combs' lawyers have proposed a $50 million bond for home detention with electronic monitoring for the rapper.
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