Sean “Diddy” Combs used his fame as one of hip-hop’s biggest stars to coerce women into demeaning sex acts as part of a decades-long scheme involving sex trafficking and racketeering, according to a federal indictment unsealed on Tuesday. Prosecutors stated that starting in 2009, Combs leveraged his vast media empire, including his record label Bad Boy Entertainment, to transport women and male sex workers across state lines for recorded sexual performances known as “Freak Offs,” during which Combs watched and masturbated.
Authorities arrested the 54-year-old rapper and producer in Manhattan on Monday night. He will appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky at 2:30 p.m. EDT on Tuesday. If convicted on charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution, Combs could face decades in prison. Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams’s office, which brought the charges, aims to keep Combs detained pending trial.
Prosecutors revealed that Combs enticed women by offering drugs such as ketamine and ecstasy, financial support, promises of career advancement, or a romantic relationship. Combs then used secret recordings of the sexual acts as “collateral” to ensure their silence. He also displayed weapons to intimidate the victims and witnesses, according to the indictment. Williams emphasized that the victims felt they could not refuse Combs without jeopardizing their safety or facing further abuse.
The indictment does not accuse Combs of engaging directly in unwanted sexual contact with the women, but it does allege that he assaulted some by punching them or throwing objects at them.
Marc Agnifilo, Combs’ lawyer, expressed disappointment with the prosecution, calling it “unjust.” He described Combs as a music icon, a self-made entrepreneur, a loving family man, and a philanthropist who has spent 30 years building an empire and supporting the Black community. “He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal,” Agnifilo stated.
Combs now faces the highest-profile criminal charges for sexual misconduct in the music industry since R. Kelly, who was sentenced to 31 years in prison after being convicted on similar charges including sex trafficking and racketeering.
Known throughout his career as P. Diddy and Puff Daddy, Combs founded Bad Boy Records, helping launch the careers of stars like Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Notorious B.I.G., and Usher in the 1990s and 2000s. However, his reputation has suffered in recent years. In November, his former girlfriend, R&B singer Casandra Ventura (known as Cassie), sued him for serial physical abuse, sexual slavery, and rape during their decade-long relationship. They settled the case one day after the lawsuit, though Combs denied her allegations.
Combs continues to face several civil lawsuits from women and men who have accused him of sexual assault and other misconduct. His legal team has been fighting these cases in court. Six months ago, federal agents raided Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami Beach, Florida.
According to the indictment, Combs’ employees helped arrange the “Freak Offs” by booking hotel rooms and purchasing controlled substances and other items used during the sexual activities. During searches of Combs’ homes, authorities found drugs, 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant, and AR-15 rifles with defaced serial numbers. The indictment did not specify how many women were victimized by the scheme.
Combs’ legal troubles extend beyond the current charges. In 2001, a court acquitted him of bribery and weapons charges related to a nightclub shooting that injured three people. Additionally, singer Dawn Richard, formerly of Danity Kane, recently filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault, battery, sex trafficking, gender discrimination, and fraud.
A Michigan judge also ordered Combs to pay a $100 million default judgment to Derrick Lee Smith, who accused Combs of drugging and sexually assaulting him at a party nearly 30 years ago. Combs’ lawyer plans to seek a dismissal. He has also denied claims made in a February sex trafficking lawsuit filed by Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, a producer on Combs’ 2023 album “The Love Album: Off the Grid.”
