Sean “Diddy” Combs arrested, charged with sex trafficking and remanded in custody, denied bail

Sean “Diddy” Combs was ordered held without bail on Tuesday after being charged with sex trafficking, conspiracy to commit organized crime and transportation for the purpose of prostitution. Combs pleaded not guilty in federal court in New York City.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky ordered Combs' detention after hearing from prosecutors and Combs' legal team late Tuesday afternoon. Marc Agnifilo, an attorney for Combs, Appeal against the decision Wednesday and lost. Prosecutors sought parole for Combs on the grounds that he “poses a persistent and substantial danger to the community, has repeatedly engaged in obstructive behavior and poses a serious flight risk,” while his lawyers requested his release on bail.

After Tuesday's hearing, Agnifilo told reporters outside federal court in Lower Manhattan that Combs did not commit the crimes prosecutors allege and that he would fight the charges to the end.

“He has been looking forward to this day,” Agnifilo said. “He has been looking forward to clearing his name, and he will clear his name.”

The allegations were disclosed in an indictment unsealed Tuesday morning after the hip-hop mogul was taken into custody by federal authorities in New York the previous evening, multiple law enforcement sources told CBS News. The indictment is related to an ongoing investigation by Homeland Security Investigations.

In the indictment, prosecutors allege that since 2008, 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 crimes.

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams said during a press conference that there were multiple victims in the case, but did not give a specific number and urged others to come forward to authorities.

Combs is accused of repeatedly abusing women since 2009 and over the years, the indictment states.

“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 commit this conduct, Sean Combs led and participated in an organized crime conspiracy that used the business empire he controlled to conduct criminal activities.”

CBS News legal expert Jessica Levinson said Combs could face decades in prison if found guilty of the charges. She also said there is a possibility the case may not go to trial.

“Most cases don't go to trial,” she said. “Most cases end with a plea deal, and we can expect that Sean Combs' attorney and federal prosecutors may try to work out a plea deal in the coming days and weeks and probably months, but I think there's no getting around the idea that that plea deal will involve prison time.”

According to the indictment, Combs “manipulated women into participating in highly orchestrated sexual acts with male sex workers.” Combs also allegedly arranged for women and sex workers to be flown to him.

Combs “ensured the women's participation by, among other things, obtaining and distributing narcotics to them, controlling their careers, exploiting and threatening to withdraw his financial support, and using intimidation and violence,” the indictment states.

Williams said the investigation into Combs is ongoing and further charges have not been ruled out. He also said more people could be charged in the case.

“This office is committed to investigating and prosecuting anyone who engages in sex trafficking, no matter how powerful, wealthy or famous they are,” Williams said.

Read the indictment

The charges relate to an incident recorded by hotel surveillance cameras in 2016. CNN aired the footage earlier this year. show Combs attack on singer Cassiewhose real name is Casandra Ventura, in a hotel corridor in Los Angeles. In May Combs apologized for the incident and said his behavior was “inexcusable” and that he takes “full responsibility” for his actions.

According to the indictment, Combs attempted to bribe a hotel security guard who intervened in the incident to keep him quiet.

According to the indictment, Combs allegedly referred to these incidents as “freak offs.” Prosecutors said Combs staged these “freak offs,” often recorded them, and administered controlled substances to the victims that helped make them obedient and submissive.

“He used the embarrassing and sensitive recordings he made of the 'Freak Offs' as pawns against the victims, and the prosecution alleges that he kept the victims under control in a variety of ways, including by giving them drugs, by giving them financial assistance or housing and threatening to withdraw it, by promising them career opportunities, by monitoring their whereabouts and even by dictating their appearance,” Williams said.

The victims did not believe they could deny Combs access “without risking their safety or suffering further abuse,” Williams said.

Prosecutors also accused Combs of carrying or brandishing weapons to intimidate and threaten victims and witnesses. Williams said that Homeland Security Investigations agents, who Combs' homes in Los Angeles and Miami in March Firearms and ammunition were found, including three defaced AR-15s and a high-capacity drum magazine.

William Walker, assistant special agent in charge of the New York field office of Homeland Security Investigations, praised those who came forward to authorities.

“Today, we shatter any false notion of impunity by exposing 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 the victims and witnesses who have already endured unspeakable suffering.”

Agnifilo issued a statement Monday evening following reports of Combs' arrest.

“We are disappointed by the U.S. Attorney's decision to continue to prosecute Mr. Combs, which we believe is unjust,” Agnifilo said.

He described Combs as “a music icon, a self-made entrepreneur, a loving family man and a proven philanthropist” and said, “He is an imperfect human being, but not a criminal.”

Agnifilo said Combs “has cooperated fully with this investigation and voluntarily relocated to New York last week to fight these charges. Please reserve judgment until you know all the facts. These are the actions of an innocent man who has nothing to hide and he looks forward to clearing his name in court.”

The unsealed indictment lists the case as follows:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
v.
SEAN COMBS,
also known as “Puff Daddy”,
also known as “P. Diddy”,
also known as “Diddy”,
also known as “PD”,
also known as “love”,
Defendant.

Combs has a number of Complaints In recent months, allegations of sexual misconduct, abuse and violence have emerged. Combs and his representatives have denied all allegations.

In November 2023, Ventura filed a lawsuit accused Combs of rape and abuse during their relationship; he denied the allegations. She reached an agreement the next day.