Sean 'DD' Combs has been arrested in New York, his attorney told CNN CNN

CNN
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Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, who has faced a parade of sexual assault lawsuits and a federal human trafficking investigation over the past year, has been arrested, the producer's attorney told CNN.

Combs — who has been in New York City since last week — was arrested Monday at the Park Hyatt Hotel on 57th Street in Manhattan and taken into custody by Homeland Security Investigations at approximately 8:15 a.m., a source familiar with the negotiations told CNN.

The arrests were made Tuesday morning on an indictment that is expected to be unsealed, according to a statement from Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

The charges and details of the case against Combs are unclear at this time.

Negotiations for Combs' surrender were ongoing, and the unsealed indictment was voted on Monday, according to sources.

Mark Agnifilo, one of Combs' attorneys, told CNN, “We are disappointed in the decision to pursue what we believe.

Combs' attorney said the musician is cooperating with the investigation that led to the indictment and “voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges.” His team maintains his innocence and says he has “nothing to hide”.

“Sean 'Diddy' Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has worked for the past 30 years to build an empire, adore his children, and improve the black community. He's an imperfect person but not a criminal,” Agnifilo told CNN.

Agnifolo urged people to “reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the actions of an innocent man with nothing to hide and he looks forward to clearing his name in court.”

Earlier this year, Combs became the target of a months-long sex-trafficking probe by the Homeland Security Investigations Agency, which led to dramatic searches of the musician's Los Angeles and Miami homes in March.

After the home raid, a law enforcement source told CNN that the federal investigation stemmed from multiple sexual assault allegations in several civil lawsuits against the producer. CNN has learned that the scope of the investigation is large, focusing on sex trafficking, money laundering and illegal drugs.

Since last November, there have been ten lawsuits against Combs, nine directly accusing him of sexual assault As previously reported by CNN, several of those accused have met with federal investigators for questioning as part of the broader investigation.

CNN exclusively reported in May that federal investigators were preparing to bring Combs' accusers before a federal grand jury to testify — a significant escalation in the government's probe that signals the Justice Department is moving toward potentially indicting the rapper and businessman.

Combs has previously denied all wrongdoing in various lawsuits. However, earlier this year he issued a public apology after CNN exclusively released surveillance footage showing Combs brutally attacking his ex-girlfriend, Cassandra “Casey” Ventura, at a Los Angeles hotel in March 2016.

An attorney for Combs' three accusers — Lil Rodd, April Lampross and Grace O'Markai — called the arrest “long-awaited.”

“We are leaving the criminal aspect of this case in the hands of the people and the justice system,” attorney Tyrone Blackburn said in a statement Monday night. “As for the civil case, we bide our time to let the facts reveal themselves and seek the justice our clients deserve.”

Blackburn said he expects more alleged victims to come forward.

“We knew this was coming. The evidence is very clear and it is only a matter of time. This is an important step toward justice for all of Mr. Combs' victims, including my client. Justice will prevail,” Blackburn added.

While it's unclear what evidence and charges led to Combs' arrest, the artist has faced several civil lawsuits filed in the past year, including one alleging sexual assault.

Last week, Dawn Richard — a former member of the musical group Danny Kane — filed a lawsuit in New York against the producer alleging sexual battery, sexual harassment and false imprisonment, among other allegations.

Richard also alleged in the lawsuit that he saw Combs “brutally beat” his then-girlfriend Casey Ventura, who filed her own lawsuit against Combs in November 2023 and quickly settled it.

An attorney for Combs, Erica Wolff, denied Richard's allegations in a statement to CNN and accused Richard of having a financial motive.

Another former Danity Kane member, Aubrey O'Day, responded to the news of Combs' arrest in a post on X Monday night.

“The purpose of the trial is to provide closure and allow us to create a new chapter. Women never get it. I feel validated. Today is a victory not only for me, but for women all over the world. Things are finally changing,” O'Day wrote.

Like Ventura, Danity Kane was represented by Combs' Bad Boy label.

Combs has repeatedly denied allegations made by Ventura, who said she was raped and subjected to years of physical and other abuse by Combs. However, Combs was seen grabbing, shaking, dragging and kicking Ventura in a 2016 video released by CNN earlier this year. Two days after the video was released, Combs apologized for his actions as seen in the recording.

The music mogul has faced increased public scrutiny since his homes in Los Angeles and Miami were raided in March, which came just weeks after Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones filed a lawsuit against him.

Jones, who served as Combs' videographer and producer, accused Combs of sexual assault, sexual harassment and “grooming,” and claims the musician and his staff “engaged in serious illegal activity” in video and audio recordings, according to a complaint. Filed in New York federal court.

Among other allegations, Jones claimed that Combs forced her to procure and contact sex workers, threatened her and served drugged alcoholic drinks at the party guests' homes.

Sean Holley, Combs' attorney, denied the allegations in a statement to CNN, calling Jones a “liar.”

“Pure fiction and his reckless name-dropping about events that simply did not happen is nothing more than a transparent attempt to grab headlines. We have overwhelming, indisputable evidence that his claims are completely false,” Holley said in the statement.

One of the ten lawsuits against Combs names him as a defendant, but Combs' son, Christian Combs, brought a sexual assault claim against a woman who worked as a yacht crew member.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNN's Cara Scannell, John Miller and Amanda Jackson contributed to this report.

Correction: An earlier version of this report incorrectly stated the day the indictment against Sean Combs was expected to be unsealed. Today is Tuesday.