Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs charged with sex trafficking and racketeering

Sean “Diddy” Combs used his fame as one of the biggest names in hip-hop to coerce women into degrading sex acts as part of a long-running sex trafficking and extortion scheme, according to a three-count federal indictment unsealed Tuesday.

Prosecutors say Combs, 54, used the business empire he ran, including his record label Bad Boy Entertainment, to transport women and male sex workers across state lines to participate in recorded sex performances called “Freak Offs,” during which the music mogul watched and masturbated.

The rapper and producer, who was arrested in Manhattan on Monday night, is expected to appear in court on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. EDT (18:30 GMT), presided over by U.S. District Judge Robyn Tarnofsky.

Combs faces a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 15 years and a maximum of life in prison if convicted of all three charges: complicity in racketeering, human trafficking and transportation for the purpose of engaging in prostitution.

The office of Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, which filed the charges, said in a court filing that the stiff potential sentence could encourage Combs to flee.

Prosecutors have asked Tarnofsky to order Combs to remain in custody pending trial. Defense attorneys are asking that he be released on $50 million bond, secured by his Miami home.

Prosecutors accuse Combs of running a criminal organization to facilitate the exploitation of women for at least 16 years.

According to the indictment, Combs lured women by giving them drugs such as ketamine and ecstasy, financial support or promises of career advancement or romantic relationships. Combs then used surreptitious recordings of the sex acts as “collateral” to keep the women silent, and sometimes displayed weapons to intimidate abuse victims and witnesses, prosecutors said.

“The victims did not believe they could refuse Combs without jeopardizing their safety or enduring more abuse,” Williams told a news conference. “This office is committed to investigating and prosecuting anyone who engages in sex trafficking, no matter how powerful, wealthy or famous you are.”

The indictment did not specify how many women were alleged victims. It was not alleged that Combs himself had direct unwanted sexual contact with women, although he was accused of assaulting them by hitting, kicking, dragging and throwing objects.

Combs, who was also known as P. Diddy and Puff Daddy during his career, founded Bad Boy Records and is credited with helping to catapult rappers and R&B singers such as Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Notorious B.I.G. and Usher to stardom in the 1990s and 2000s.

Marc Agnifilo, an attorney for Combs, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. Agnifilo expressed disappointment Monday over the “unjust” prosecution of his client, calling Combs “an imperfect person” but “not a criminal.”

Combs is the highest-profile music industry figure to be charged with sexual misconduct since R&B singer R. Kelly was sentenced to a total of 31 years in prison in 2021 in New York and in 2022 in Chicago for sex trafficking, racketeering, child sex trafficking and other charges.

His career and reputation have been scarred over the past year. Last November, his ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura, an R&B singer known as Cassie, accused him in a lawsuit of serial physical abuse, sexual slavery and rape. She agreed to an undisclosed settlement the day after the lawsuit. Combs denied her allegations.

New York Mayor Eric Adams asked Combs to return a commemorative key to the city after video surfaced in May of him attacking Cassie.

Prosecutors say Combs and his associates used bribery and violence, including arson and kidnapping, to keep his behavior secret.

In a March 2016 incident that appears to match Cassie’s description of his alleged attack, prosecutors said Combs was captured on hotel security camera punching and dragging a woman who was trying to leave a “Freak Off.” Prosecutors said Combs then offered a wad of cash to a hotel security guard, who intervened.

In 2011, Combs and an accomplice kidnapped a man at gunpoint to facilitate a burglary, prosecutors said. Two weeks later, Combs’ accomplices set a car on fire, and he later bragged about his role in the arson, prosecutors said.

According to the indictment, prosecutors said Combs’ employees helped organize the “Freak Offs” by booking hotel rooms and purchasing narcotics and other items used during sex.

During raids on his homes in Los Angeles and Miami Beach, Florida, six months ago, authorities found drugs and 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant, along with AR-15 rifles with defaced serial numbers, the indictment said.

Rapper Sean Diddy Combs arrives at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards in New York, U.S., August 28, 2016. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File photo U.S. Attorney Damian Williams speaks at a news conference to announce the unsealing of charges against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs in Manhattan after Combs was arrested by federal agents in New York City, New York, U.S., September 17, 2024. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton Lawrence Stark, a supporter of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, gestures as he stands outside the United States District Court in Manhattan after Combs was arrested by federal agents in New York City, New York, U.S., September 17, 2024. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala – Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art of the In-Between – Arrivals – New York City, USA – 01/05/17 – Sean “Diddy” Combs. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/File photo Attorney Marc Agnifilo arrives at the Manhattan courthouse after music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is arrested by federal agents in New York City, New York, U.S., September 17, 2024. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid Lawrence Stark, a supporter of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, gestures as he stands outside the United States District Court in Manhattan after Combs was arrested by federal agents in New York City, New York, U.S., September 17, 2024. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton P. Diddy speaks next to DJ Khaled (not pictured) who unveils his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California, U.S., April 11, 2022. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File photo