.webp){kind=small}
P. Diddy Arrested Following Grand Jury Indictment
Sean "D.iddy" Combs Arrested After Grand Jury Indictment in Manhattan. Credit:gettyimages
American hip-hop mogul and entrepreneur Sean Combs, also known as P. Diddy, was arrested on Monday in Manhattan following an indictment by a federal grand jury. According to multiple U.S. media outlets, Combs was taken into custody in a hotel lobby, as first reported by NBC News.
Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, confirmed the arrest in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
"Earlier this evening, federal agents arrested Sean Combs based on a sealed indictment filed by the Southern District of New York. We plan to unseal the indictment in the morning and will provide further details at that time,"
Williams stated.
While the charges remain undisclosed, Combs' legal team has responded, characterizing the prosecution as unjust. A statement provided to Rolling Stone described the music icon as “an imperfect person, but not a criminal.”
"We are disappointed by the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney's Office,"
the statement read.
"Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is a self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and dedicated philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire and uplifting the Black community. While he is not perfect, he is certainly not a criminal."
The statement also emphasized Combs' cooperation with authorities, noting that he voluntarily relocated to New York in anticipation of the charges.
"These are the actions of an innocent man who has nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court,"
the statement added.
Ongoing Legal Troubles
Combs has been under FBI investigation since March of this year. His legal challenges began in November when his ex-girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, also known as Cassie, filed a lawsuit accusing him of years of sexual and physical abuse. The case was settled within a day, but other women have since come forward with additional allegations, including claims of abuse and sex trafficking.
On March 25, federal agents raided Combs' homes in Los Angeles and Miami Beach, seizing electronic equipment. Combs was also briefly detained at a Miami-area airport during the investigation. At the time, federal officials did not disclose details of the case, but a source told The New York Times that the investigation partly involved human trafficking allegations.
While Combs has denied all accusations, his legal team criticized the FBI's actions as "a gross overuse of military-level force."
Impact on Career and Reputation
Despite his legal defense, Combs’ reputation has taken a significant hit. In May, CNN released hotel security footage showing him assaulting Cassie. Although Combs later issued a public apology, the damage to his image appears to have been lasting.
Following these events, Combs sold his stake in Revolt, the media company he founded, and divested his ownership in DeLeón Tequila, a joint venture with Diageo. Additionally, a New York charter school network ended its partnership with him. This month, his Holmby Hills mansion in Los Angeles, one of the locations raided by federal agents, was listed for $61.5 million.
As the indictment remains sealed, more details are expected to emerge in the coming days as Combs prepares for his legal defense.
