On September 16, Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested in New York after facing a series of charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. Combs, a prominent hip-hop producer and significant music industry figure, has faced allegations of sexual assault and rape from several individuals in the past year.
An official document released by the court of the Southern District of New York outlines Combs’ indictment and states, “For decades, Sean Combs…abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct,” and that Combs created “a criminal enterprise” through which associated individuals engaged in various crimes, including sex trafficking and kidnapping.
Combs, whose trial is scheduled for May 2025, has pleaded not guilty.
The first to come forward with allegations against Diddy was R&B singer Casandra Ventura, Combs’ former girlfriend. In November 2023 Ventura accused Combs in a civil lawsuit of physical and sexual abuse, including rape, and asked for a 30 million dollar settlement. Ventura, who was signed to Combs’ label and was in an “on-and-off” relationship with him from 2007 to 2018, graphically detailed how Combs provided her with drugs, forced her to engage in sexual activity with male prostitutes as he filmed, and beat her in fits of rage all throughout their relationship.
In May 2024, a 2016 surveillance video from the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles emerged, featuring Combs in a towel as he grabs Ventura by the neck, throws her to the ground, then kicks her twice as she lays motionless, and later throws an object at her. Combs, who denied all assault allegations, then issued a statement on Instagram two days after the video’s release, claiming he “was f—ked up” and that he “[takes] full responsibility for [his] actions in that video.” Ventura’s case was settled a day after she filed her lawsuit, though no further details were shared.
Allegations from countless other individuals have surfaced since Ventura, and more continue to come to light even after Combs’ arrest. Tony Buzbee, a Houston lawyer, announced on October 1 that he was representing over 120 individuals who experienced sexual abuse by Diddy, also stating that 25 of those individuals were underage when the sexual assault occurred. Most recently, on October 20, seven new lawsuits were filed against Combs, with seven anonymous men and women stating that they were subject to sexual assault at Diddy’s parties, dubbed “Freak Offs,” throughout the last two decades.
The emergence of the news about Diddy sparked various absurd theories about his entanglements with other stars, most of which originate from social media app TikTok. These types of public accusations are started and reinforced by social media which can complicate the civil and criminal cases.
Combs is facing a prison sentence of at least 15 years if convicted of sex trafficking, and a life sentence if convicted of racketeering. He is currently held in Brooklyn at the Metropolitan Detention Center. Combs also faced public backlash. In June, Combs returned a key to New York City to Mayor Eric Adams. Adams gave the key to the New York native in a ceremony last year, then asked Combs to return it after the release of the footage of Combs abusing Cassie. The backlash towards Combs will likely increase as he awaits his trial.
National Sexual Assault Hotline: (800) 656-46737
National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-7233
National Human Trafficking Hotline: (888) 373-7888
