NEW YORK, USA – Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, the influential music mogul and entrepreneur, has been hit with federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges, according to a 14-page indictment unsealed Tuesday, September 17, 2024, morning.
The indictment alleges Combs orchestrated years of criminal activity, including “threatening and coercing women and others around him to fulfil his sexual desires.”
Combs, 54, was arrested late Monday night in New York and is expected to appear in federal court on Tuesday.
According to the indictment, Combs’ alleged criminal activity dates back 16 years, with claims that he began engaging in racketeering in 2008, followed by sex trafficking and organizing prostitution by 2009.
Federal prosecutors accuse Combs of creating a criminal enterprise involved in crimes such as “sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice.”
Central to the allegations are events referred to as “Freak Offs,” where Combs allegedly forced victims into extended sex acts involving male commercial sex workers.
These acts, prosecutors claim, were often recorded electronically, and Combs reportedly directed and controlled the encounters. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, during a press conference Tuesday, stated that Combs “planned and controlled the sex performances, which he called ‘Freak Offs,’ and he often electronically recorded them.”
Lengthy “Freak Offs” Involving Narcotics and Exploitation
Williams detailed that these so-called “Freak offs” would sometimes last for days and involved multiple sex workers.
Combs allegedly distributed narcotics such as ketamine, ecstasy, and GHB to ensure victims remained compliant.
During raids on Combs’ Miami and Los Angeles properties in March, law enforcement agents seized more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant, narcotics, electronic devices containing videos of the events, and firearms, including AR-15 rifles.
Prosecutors claim that Combs did not act alone, using his businesses and employees to facilitate the illegal activities.
Employees were reportedly involved in booking hotel rooms, arranging travel for victims, and cleaning up after the encounters.
“They arranged for victims and commercial sex workers to travel for the freak offs, and they delivered large quantities of cash to Combs to pay for the commercial sex workers,” Williams said.
Combs’ Legal Team Denounces Charges as “Unjust”
Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, addressed the charges outside Manhattan federal court on Tuesday, stating that his client plans to plead not guilty and will fight the charges with “all of his energy.”
Agnifilo dismissed the allegations as an “unjust prosecution” and urged the public to reserve judgment until more facts are revealed.
“He [Combs] came to New York to engage the court system, and he’s going to fight this with all of his might,” Agnifilo said. “He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal.”
The indictment and arrest come after nearly six months of federal investigation, including raids and 10 civil lawsuits involving allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct.
Combs has denied all allegations made against him, though he did settle a lawsuit last November with former girlfriend Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura, who had accused him of sexual and physical abuse.
Troubling Legal History and Public Apology
In a separate case, Combs was caught on camera physically assaulting Cassie in a hotel elevator in 2016.
The footage was released by CNN earlier this year, prompting Combs to issue a public apology in May.
“My behaviour on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video,” he said then, adding that he sought professional help afterwards.
Combs’ recent legal troubles have intensified scrutiny around his personal life and business dealings. Tuesday’s court appearance marks the latest chapter in a saga that could have far-reaching implications for the mogul’s career and legacy.
What’s Next?
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams has indicated that Combs will be detained in pretrial as the investigation continues.
Federal prosecutors plan to reveal additional evidence as the case progresses, focusing on Combs’ alleged use of his vast business empire to facilitate illegal activities.
For now, Combs remains at the centre of what could be one of the most significant celebrity criminal cases in recent history.
