Rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs arrested in sex trafficking investigation

Controversial music mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is facing fresh charges after being accused of sex trafficking and abuse.

Rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been arrested in New York City amid a sex trafficking investigation, his lawyers have said.

It is unclear what charges the controversial hip-hop star is facing, but The New York Times reported that the arrest follows a grand jury indictment.

The paper reported that a source said 54-year-old Combs was being charged with racketeering and sex trafficking.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is facing new charges. Picture: AFP

The Harlem-born music mogul was arrested at the Park Hyatt Hotel on 57th Street in Manhattan and was taken into custody by Homeland Security Investigations.

“We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr Combs by the US Attorney’s Office,” Marc Agnifilo, a lawyer for Combs, told CNN.

It comes months after a horrifying 2016 video showing Combs assaulting his ex-girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie Ventura, was published by CNN, prompting a huge backlash against the disgraced star.

Combs apologised, posting a video to social media in which he called his behaviour “inexcusable”.

Venture filed a lawsuit against the star last November, accusing him of years of sexual and physical abuse.

Combs and Ventura settled the lawsuit the day after she filed it, the New York Post reports.

The disgraced rapper with former partner Cassie Ventura, who accused him of years of abuse. Picture: AFP

Combs’ mansions in Beverly Hills and Miami were also raided six months ago as part of a sex-trafficking investigation.

In a statement, the rapper’s legal team said they were disappointed with the decision to prosecute the father-of-five and that he co-operated with the investigation.

The rapper’s Beverly Hills mansion was previously raided in a sex trafficking investigation. Picture: Nine News

“Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to uplift the Black community,” the statement said. “He is an imperfect person but he is not a criminal.

“To his credit Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges.

Sean ‘Diddy’ on stage in London last November. Picture: Getty Images

“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 arrest is the latest in a long line of scandals and allegations that have engulfed the star, who was once the toast of the music world.

In November 2023, the rapper was accused of drugging, filming and sexually assaulting a woman on a date in 1991.

Another woman filed a lawsuit against Combs in November 2023, accusing him of sexual assault in the early 1990s.

In December 2023, Combs was hit with a fourth sexual assault lawsuit that accused him and others of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl at his NYC recording studio.