Sean “Diddy” Combs charged with sex trafficking in federal indictment

Sean “Diddy” Combs has been charged with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution, according to an indictment unsealed Tuesday. Combs pleaded not guilty to the charges in federal court Tuesday afternoon.
The charges were revealed after the hip-hop mogul was taken into custody by federal authorities in New York the night before, multiple law enforcement sources told CBS News, in connection with an ongoing investigation by Homeland Security Investigations.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, of the Southern District of New York, said during a news conference that federal prosecutors would be seeking detention for Combs.
In the indictment, prosecutors allege that Combs was part of a criminal organization that engaged in or attempted to engage in sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, obstruction of justice and other offenses. 
Williams said there were multiple victims in the case, but he didn’t provide a specific number and he urged others to come forward to authorities. 
Combs is accused of assaulting women on numerous occasions starting in 2009 and continuing for years, according to the indictment.
“The indictment alleges that between at least 2008 and the present, Combs abused, threatened and coerced victims to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation and conceal his conduct,” Williams told reporters Tuesday. “As alleged in the indictment, to carry out this conduct, Sean Combs led and participated in a racketeering conspiracy that used the business empire he controlled to carry out criminal activity.”
According to the indictment, Combs “manipulated women to participate in highly orchestrated performances of sexual activity with male commercial sex workers.” Combs also allegedly arranged for women and commercial sex workers to be flown to him.
Combs “ensured participation from the women by, among other things, obtaining and distributing narcotics to them, controlling their careers, leveraging his financial support and threatening to cut off the same, and using intimidation and violence,” the indictment alleges.
Williams said the investigation into Combs was ongoing and that additional charges weren’t off the table. He also said others could face charges in the case.
“This office is determined to investigate and prosecute anyone who engages in sex trafficking, no matter how powerful or wealthy or famous you may be,” Williams said. 
The indictment refers to an incident caught on hotel security cameras in 2016. CNN aired the footage earlier this year, which appears to show Combs attacking the singer Cassie, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura, in a Los Angeles hotel hallway. In May, Combs apologized for the incident, saying his behavior was “inexcusable” and that he took “full responsibility” for his actions.
According to the indictment, Combs attempted to bribe a hotel security staff member who intervened in the incident to keep them quiet.
Combs allegedly referred to the incidents as “Freak Offs,” according to the indictment. Prosecutors said Combs directed these “Freak Offs,” often recorded them and distributed controlled substances to the victims, which helped make them obedient and compliant.
“He used the embarrassing and sensitive recordings he made of the ‘Freak Offs’ as collateral against the victims, and the indictment alleges that he maintained control over the victims in several ways, including by giving them drugs, by giving and threatening to take away financial support or housing, by promising them career opportunities, by monitoring their whereabouts and even by dictating their physical appearance,” Williams said.
The victims didn’t believe that they could refuse Combs “without risking their security or facing more abuse,” Williams said.
Prosecutors also accused Combs of carrying or brandishing guns to intimidate and threaten victims and witnesses. Williams said Homeland Security Investigations agents who raided Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami in March found firearms and ammunition, including three defaced AR-15s and a large-capacity drum magazine.
William Walker, the acting special agent in charge of the New York field office of Homeland Security Investigations, commended those who came forward to authorities.
“Today, we shatter any false notion of impunity as we uncover the defendant’s alleged pattern of manipulation, exploitation, and outright abuse,” Walker said in a statement Tuesday. “Make no mistake: we are here today only because of the unwavering strength of victims and witnesses who have already endured unspeakable hardships.”
Marc Agnifilo, an attorney for Combs, issued a statement Monday night following reports of Combs’ arrest.
“We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” Agnifilo said.
He described Combs as “a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist,” and said, “He is an imperfect person but he Is not a criminal.” 
Agnifilo said Combs “has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court.”
The unsealed indictment lists the case as:
Combs has faced a number of lawsuits in recent months involving allegations of sexual misconduct, abuse and violence. Combs and his representatives have denied all the accusations.
In November 2023, Ventura filed a lawsuit accusing Combs of rape and abuse during their relationship; he denied the accusations. They reached a settlement the following day.