Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs faces sex trafficking charges as federal charges become public following his arrest in New York City

SEAN “Diddy” Combs has been charged with human trafficking following a months-long federal investigation that saw him arrested Monday night in New York City.

The 54-year-old music mogul was held overnight after Homeland Security Investigations agents arrested him at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Manhattan.

4

4

4

4

The federal indictment detailing the charges was made public Tuesday during Combs’ arraignment.

Combs is charged on three counts in total: conspiracy to commit extortion, trafficking in persons by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation of persons for the purpose of prostitution.

The indictment alleges that Combs “abused, threatened and coerced women and others in his environment to satisfy his sexual desires, protect his reputation and conceal his conduct.”

The rapper’s reputation as a hitmaker has been tarnished over the past year by several sexual assault lawsuits, a violent surveillance camera showing him beating his ex-girlfriend and a federal investigation into sex trafficking.

HSI, the principal investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security, handles cases involving transnational crime, including human trafficking, terrorism, and drug smuggling.

A lawyer for Combs, who has brought in artists including Usher, Notorious BIG and Mary J Blige, said the producer has been in New York since last week.

Marc Agnifilo previously told CNN that the musician “voluntarily moved to New York last week in anticipation of these charges.”

He added that his client has “nothing to hide.”

Agnifilo described Combs as “a music icon, a self-made entrepreneur, a loving family man and a proven philanthropist who has built an empire over the past 30 years, adores his children and has been committed to improving the black community.”

“He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal,” he added.

Since November of last year, Combs has faced ten lawsuits, nine of which directly accuse him of sexual abuse.

Combs became the subject of a months-long investigation by the HSI into sex trafficking earlier this year, culminating in large-scale searches of two of his properties in Los Angeles and Miami in March.

According to law enforcement, the federal investigation stemmed from many of the sexual abuse allegations in several civil lawsuits filed against the producer.

But the investigation would go much further, also including allegations of drug trafficking, money laundering and sex trafficking.

A lawyer for one of the alleged victims has spoken out.

Attorney Rodney Diggs, speaking on behalf of Grace O’Marcaigh, who is suing Combs and his son Christian, said: “The long-awaited arrest of Sean Combs is the first step in our clients’ efforts to get justice.

“We leave the criminal aspect of this case to the people and the legal system.

“In civil matters, we wait for the facts to emerge and ensure our clients get the justice they deserve.

“We also expect more victims to come forward. We knew this was coming. The evidence is very clear and it was only a matter of time.

“This is an important step toward justice for all of Mr. Combs’ victims, including my clients. Justice will prevail.”

More to come… For the latest on this story, stay tuned to The US Sun, your destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, breathtaking photos and must-see videos..

Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun