Sean "Diddy" Combs charged with sex trafficking, racketeering in New York indictment
The millionaire music executive could face additional charges and could be detained until his trial.
WASHINGTON - United States (US) Attorney Damian Williams said his investigation into embattled entertainment mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs is ongoing after he announced federal racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution charges on Tuesday.
The millionaire music executive could face additional charges and could be detained until his trial, Williams said, charging that he is a danger to the community.
His charges were revealed when his indictment was unsealed by the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York on Tuesday, United Press International (UPI) reported.
It charged that Combs engaged in verbal, emotional, physical and sexual abuse as he led an "enterprise that he engaged in sex trafficking, forced labour or, kidnapping, arson and other crime."
The indictment alleges that Combs transported commercial sex workers across state and international borders and manipulated women to "participate in highly orchestrated performances of sexual activity with commercial sex workers."
Combs leveraged control over their careers, financial support as well as intimidation and violence to coerce the women into these acts, the indictment said.
"Sometimes unbeknownst to the victims, Combs kept videos he filmed of victims engaging in sex acts with commercial sex workers," federal prosecutors added.
Williams said that Combs used drugs, which include ketamine, ecstasy and GHB. He said the Combs used the drugs to keep the victims compliant along with violence. The prosecutor said Combs would kick, drag and throw things at his victims, causing injuries that would take days and weeks to recover.
Marc Agnifilo, Combs' attorney, called the indictment an "unjust prosecution" and the arrest tactics unnecessary since his client has cooperated with an investigation into him without resistance.
"We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr Combs by the US Attorney's Office," he said.
"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.
"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."
Agnifilo added that Combs would plead not guilty and would "fight this with all of his energy and all of his might and the full confidence of his lawyers."
Federal agents raided Combs's homes in Los Angeles and Miami in March in connection with the investigation. Combs has denied charges in the federal investigation and other criminal claims against him.
The prosecutors said detectives found a treasure trove of evidence backing the claims of sexual abuse during the raids, including more than 1,000 bottles of lubricants, photos and videos.
Investigations also found weapons, including AR-15 rifles, ammunition, and a large-capacity drug magazine.
Combs employed numerous individuals -- including personal assistants, security, and household staff - to book hotel rooms and hide evidence of the "freak offs." Williams said while none of those individuals have been charged, other charges can be brought at a later date. - BERNAMA-UPI
