(NewsNation) — Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested Monday in Manhattan following a grand jury indictment, his attorney said in a statement.
Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, issued the following statement: “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 called the hip-hop mogul an “imperfect person,” adding: “To his credit Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts.”
The indictment was sealed and details of the charges weren’t immediately announced by prosecutors, but the U.S. attorney in Manhattan, Damian Williams, confirmed in a statement that federal agents had Combs in custody.
“We expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time,” Williams said in a statement Monday.
Combs’ representatives told NewsNation he will appear in federal court at 10 a.m. ET Tuesday.
It’s not clear which charges the rapper was arrested for, but he has several sexual misconduct and assault allegations spanning over 30 years. He has denied all allegations.
Two of the rapper’s properties were searched in a raid by federal investigators months ago as part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation, according to NewsNation affiliate WPIX. Firearms and phones belonging to Combs were confiscated during that search.
Two sources familiar with the situation confirmed to NBC News that federal investigators presented evidence against Combs to a grand jury in the Southern District of New York, though no connection to his reported arrest has been confirmed.
Formerly known as “Puff Daddy,” Combs faced backlash after the lawsuits, but he was once considered one of the most influential hip-hop producers and executives of the last three decades.
The founder of Bad Boy Records has worked with artists including Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, Faith Evans and 112, and also created a fashion clothing line and a music-focused TV channel.
Diddy allegations and lawsuits
The first lawsuit against Combs came in November 2023, when his ex-girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura alleged in New York federal court that he beat, raped and abused her during their relationship. She was 19 when they began dating; he was 37.
A day later, the pair announced they’d settled the suit — but more allegations soon came to light.
In late November and early December 2023, Combs was accused of raping, sexually assaulting and attacking multiple women between the early 1990s and 2003.
A music producer, Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, filed a lawsuit in February, alleging Combs sexually assaulted him and forced him to have sex with prostitutes.
Combs’ properties were then raided, and the investigation expanded in April. By July 4, 2024, Combs was hit with his 10th civil suit.
In September 2024, Combs was given massive $100 million default judgment after failing to dispute sexual assault allegations made in a lawsuit by a Michigan inmate.
Combs’ roles in his businesses beyond music — including lucrative private-label spirits, a media company and the Sean John Fashion line — took major hits when the allegations arose.
The consequences were even greater when the leaked beating video emerged. Howard University cut ties with him, and he returned his key to the city of New York at the request of the mayor.
NewsNation’s Cassie Buchman and Safia Samee Ali and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
