Sean "Diddy" Combs, a hip-hop mogul with strong ties to the Hamptons on Long Island, was arrested late Monday in New York, where he faces a sealed criminal indictment, according to an announcement by prosecutors. While the details of the charges remain undisclosed, the arrest follows months of allegations against Combs, with several women accusing him of sexual assault.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams confirmed that federal agents arrested Combs and indicated that the indictment would be unsealed in the morning, providing more information at that time.
Combs' attorney, Marc Agnifilo, expressed disappointment over the prosecution, calling it "unjust." He added that Combs had traveled to New York last week in anticipation of the charges, asserting that while his client may not be perfect, "he is not a criminal."
The arrest took place in the lobby of a Manhattan hotel, and Combs is currently in federal custody. This development marks a significant moment in the career of one of hip-hop's most influential figures.
The investigation into the 58-year-old producer became public earlier this year when Homeland Security Investigations agents conducted simultaneous raids on Combs' properties in Los Angeles and Miami. His defense attorney, Aaron Dyer, criticized the tactics as a "gross use of military-level force" and maintained that the allegations are "meritless."
Combs, once known as Puff Daddy, rose to prominence during the East Coast-West Coast hip-hop feud of the 1990s as the producer of the Notorious B.I.G. Over time, however, he transitioned into a business icon, hosting parties in Hollywood and the Hamptons and becoming known as a loving father and fashion-forward entrepreneur. His connection to the Hamptons, a popular summer destination on Long Island, has only deepened his association with the area, where he's known for throwing star-studded events.