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11 Things to Know About Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Trafficking Investigation

what to know about diddys trafficking investigation
Source: MEGA

Sept. 19 2024, Updated 2:45 p.m. ET

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Diddy's Ex-Partner Accused Him of Trafficking and Violence in a Lawsuit

what to know about diddys trafficking investigation
Source: MEGA

Sean 'Diddy' Combs has firmly denied all allegations.

Sean "Diddy" Combs has been through a lot of legal headaches as of late, but the sexual assault accusations and lawsuits only emerged in November 2023 when his ex Cassie Ventura filed a lawsuit in New York.

They were in an on-again, off-again relationship from 2007 to 2018.

In the filing, Cassie accused the "Coming Home" rapper, 54, of abusing and s-- trafficking her for years, including a rape incident in 2018.

"After years in silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story, and to speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships," said Cassie. "With the expiration of New York's Adult Survivors Act fast approaching, it became clear that this was an opportunity to speak up about the trauma I have experienced and that I will be recovering from for the rest of my life."

Meanwhile, Combs' lawyer, Ben Brafman, called the allegations "offensive and outrageous."

"Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations. Ms. Ventura's demand of $30 million, under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail," Brafman noted in a statement to People. "Despite withdrawing her initial threat, Ms. Ventura has now resorted to filing a lawsuit riddled with baseless and outrageous lies, aiming to tarnish Mr. Combs' reputation, and seeking a pay day."

Combs and Cassie settled the lawsuit one day after the filing.

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Diddy Was Slapped With More Lawsuits

what to know about diddys trafficking investigation
Source: MEGA

Both the star's Miami and Los Angeles' homes became the targets of the raids.

A few days after Cassie's lawsuit, a woman named Joi Dickerson-Neal submitted her own filing in which she accused Combs of drugging and raping her when she was studying at Syracuse University in 1991. Per the alleged victim's attorneys, she was a victim of "revenge p---" as the record producer took a video of the reported incident and shared it with others.

Once again, the "I'll Be Missing You" hitmaker denied the claims and called the story "fabricated."

Another woman, who went by the name Jane Doe in the filing, shared a similar story in the lawsuit filed in New York County Supreme Court. She alleged Combs and Aaron Hall took turns sexually abusing her and a friend more than 30 years ago.

A spokesperson for Combs denied the story again and said it was only "a money grab."

A Fourth Victim Came Forward

what to know about diddys trafficking investigation
Source: MEGA

Combs received support from Nick Cannon amid his controversy.

A fourth woman submitted her own filing in New York and included the names of Harve Pierre and a third individual called "Third Assailant." The alleged victim said the s-- trafficking and gang rape happened when she was 17.

After the series of accusations, Combs wrote a statement to address the claims made by people who "tried to destroy" his reputation.

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Lil Rod Accused Diddy of Sexual Assault

what to know about diddys trafficking investigation
Source: MEGA

Cassie reportedly began cooperating with the feds amid the investigation.

On February 26, former producer Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones filed a lawsuit in New York federal court in which he accused the embattled record executive of sexually harassing, drugging and threatening him while working on the Love album in September 2022.

Lil Rod also slapped Combs' associates for participating in the reported s-- trafficking venture.

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New Revelations About the Alleged Trafficking Incidents Emerged

what to know about diddys trafficking investigation
Source: MEGA

The raids were reportedly part of the probe regarding sexual assault and illegal activity.

In most of the lawsuits, the accusers said Combs filmed their sexual encounters and shared them with others.

"On one occasion, he sat next to her on a flight and made her watch a video she thought she had deleted, reinforcing her inability to escape and the immense power he held over her," Cassie's lawsuit read.

Lil Rod also noted that Combs installed hidden cameras in every room of his homes and filmed everyone without their knowledge and consent.

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Feds Raided Diddy's Homes

what to know about diddys trafficking investigation
Source: MEGA

Combs' homes were raided by Homeland Security last month.

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The Department of Homeland Security agents conducted simultaneous raids at Combs' properties in Los Angeles and Miami on March 25. WPIX confirmed it was part of an ongoing s-- trafficking investigation.

"Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners. We will provide further information as it becomes available," the HIS said in a statement to multiple news outlets.

Following the searches, Combs' attorney, Aaron Dyer, insisted the "It's All About the Benjamins" rapper's innocence and slammed the authorities for the raid.

"This unprecedented ambush – paired with an advanced, coordinated media presence – leads to a premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits," Dyer shared.

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Arrest Rumors

what to know about diddys trafficking investigation
Source: MEGA

Diddy was accused by his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura of physical and sexual abuse.

Following the raids, rumors about Combs getting arrested by the FBI surfaced. Several TikTok videos made the claims, saying the arrest was made following his legal battles over the years.

However, it was later revealed that Combs was at the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport at the time of the searches.

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Prosecutors May Have Probable Cause to Arrest

cent full custody son baby mama daphne joy sean diddy combs
Source: MEGA

A Diddy-hosted event in 1991 reemerged amid the probe.

In an interview with NewsNation, one of R. Kelly's prosecutors Nadia Shihata said charges might be served soon.

"They clearly have probable cause to believe that a federal crime has been committed and that evidence of that crime or multiple crimes would be found in the two locations that they searched. This is big news, and if I'm P. Diddy or his lawyers, I'd be very concerned at this point," Shihata explained.

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Diddy Allegedly Spotted in Antigua

what to know about diddys trafficking investigation
Source: MEGA

TMZ tracked Combs' jet after he was spotted at an airport and found out the vehicle was in Antigua, though it was not confirmed whether he was in the area.

"Antigua, as we know, is an extradition country, so probably not the best place to flee to if Diddy was indeed on that plane, if that's where he is," former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani told NewsNation host Ashleigh Banfield.

Combs has since returned to social media after the feds' searches and greeted everyone during Easter Sunday, sharing a photo of his daughter Love.

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Diddy Arrested

sean diddy combs denied bail racketeering human trafficking
Source: MEGA

On Monday, September 16, Diddy was taken into police custody in New York after a grand jury voted to indict him on three counts — racketeering conspiracy; s-- trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and transportation to engage in prostitution.

Following the arrest, his attorney, Marc Agnifilo, said he was "disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office."

"He is an imperfect person but is not criminal," he continued. "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. 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."

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Diddy Denied Bail — TWICE

sean diddy combs denied bail racketeering human trafficking
Source: MEGA

The music producer appeared in a New York courtroom and pleaded not guilty to all charges on Tuesday, September 17.

Despite his legal team's request for him to be released to in-home detention with a $50 million bond, the judge denied the request, citing him as a flight risk.

The following day, at an appeal hearing, Diddy was denied bail for the second time. He is expected to remain behind bars until his trial.

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