Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested by federal agents in New York City on Monday night following a grand jury indictment, TMZ reports. The arrest, which took place around 6:48 PM PT, stems from an ongoing criminal investigation related to alleged sex trafficking and other offenses.
Federal agents from Homeland Security swooped into a midtown hotel where Diddy was staying and took him into custody. Unconfirmed reports suggest the authorities also searched his hotel room. He was later transported to the FBI Field Office in Manhattan.
This sudden move comes a day earlier than originally planned. Law enforcement sources informed TMZ that Diddy’s arrest had been scheduled for Tuesday, but unforeseen circumstances led the feds to act on Monday. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams confirmed that the arrest was based on a sealed indictment filed by the Southern District of New York.
The arrest follows months of investigation, during which a grand jury has been hearing testimonies from multiple accusers. The probe also led to search warrants being executed at Diddy’s residences in Beverly Hills and Miami.
Just hours before his arrest, Diddy was seen confidently walking around New York City with his son, King Combs. He even stopped to interact with fans and pose for selfies, seemingly unaware of the imminent federal action.
Diddy’s attorney, Marc Agnifilo, expressed disappointment over the arrest, calling it an “unjust prosecution.” In a statement to TMZ, Agnifilo described Diddy as a “music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist” who has spent three decades building an empire and uplifting the Black community.
Agnifilo continued, “He is an imperfect person but not a criminal. Mr. Combs has cooperated fully with the investigation and voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges.” He urged the public to withhold judgment until all facts are revealed, asserting Diddy’s innocence and expressing confidence that he will clear his name in court.
The situation remains under development as Diddy’s legal team prepares for the upcoming battle to address these serious allegations.
