Sean 'Diddy' Combs arrest: 'Freak offs' at center of sex trafficking, racketeering charges

Bags of pink powder were found in Sean Combs’ hotel room after he flew to New York on the advice of his lawyer two weeks ago to await arrest, prosecutors said.

The powder was not tested, but the prosecutors said it appeared to be narcotics and that similar bags previously seized at Combs' properties tested positive for drugs including ecstasy.

Authorities have interviewed more than 50 witnesses and collected dozens of cellphones, laptops and hard drives, and they are in possession of video that they say shows the coerced sex acts that Combs is accused of orchestrating.

Sean Combs' defense lawyer argued that his client in no way should be mentioned in the same sentence as some of the nation's most notorious sex criminals.

The music mogul's defense attorney Marc Agnifilo said Combs is not disgraced singer R. Kelly, sex cult leader Keith Raniere or accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

"This is different," he told the court. "These were consenting adults."

Combs' defense attorney rejected government allegations that his client committed sex trafficking — but conceded the music mogul has been "unfaithful" for "dark periods" over a decade.

“This is evidence, not of sex trafficking, but of being caught being unfaithful," defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo told the court in arguing for his client to be granted bail. "He was in a 10-year loving relationship through dark periods.”

A judge denied bail for Combs, but the defense hopes to get a second shot at the issue during a hearing tomorrow.

Sean Combs' defense lawyer still hopes he can get bail for his client, who is committed to "fight" for his innocence.

All parties will be back in court at 3:30 tomorrow afternoon to revisit bail, as Combs prepares for trial on three federal charges tied to alleged sex abuse.

"Mr. Combs is a fighter. He’s going to fight this to the end. He’s innocent. He came to New York to establish his innocence," defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo said outside court.

"He’s not afraid. He’s not afraid of the charges," Agnifilo said. "There’s nothing that the government said in their presentation today that changes anyone’s mind about anything.” 

Sean Combs' defense lawyer said his client was prepared to surrender to authorities before he was taken into custody last night.

"The government didn't want him to turn himself in. He came here to turn himself in," Combs' defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo told reporters outside court, shortly after a judge denied his client bail.

"So they go in there and arrest him," Agnifilo said. "They arrested a guy who came to New York to turn himself in."

A solemn Sean Combs showed few facial expressions in his first appearance before a judge after his arrest on three federal charges connected to alleged sex abuse.

Combs wore a black T-shirt, sweatpants and Air Jordan sneakers to court, where at least three of his sons and eight other family members came to support him.

The government argued detention is warranted because of the serious charges Combs faces. The prosecution said Combs is an extreme danger to the community and a flight risk because of his wealth.

A judge denied bail for Sean "Diddy" Combs after the music mogul pleaded not guilty to three federal charges connected to alleged sex abuse.

Sean “Diddy” Combs was charged with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and prostitution transportation. MSNBC legal analyst Lisa Rubin, former prosecutor Kristen Gibbons Feden and former federal prosecutor Kristy Greenberg join Chris Jansing to provide more insight on the charges.

A lawyer for Dawn Richard, who is suing Sean Combs, said too many victims have "suffered in silence" but can now find justice in the federal prosecution of the music mogul.

"So, like many alleged victims, Ms. Richard suffered in silence for a long time," Richard's attorney Arick Fudali told NBC News today outside the court, where Combs made his first appearance before a judge. He faces a three-count indictment stemming from his alleged years of sexual abuse.

"Mr. Combs is a very powerful individual," Fudali said. "It’s very difficult to come out against someone like Mr. Combs, but it was seeing Cassie file her lawsuit and go public that really gave her a sense of empowerment, that it was her turn, and it was her time to come forward with her allegations."

At least three of Sean Combs' children came to federal courthouse in New York City on Tuesday afternoon.

Three of his sons, Quincy, Christian and Justin, arrived at federal court at about 2 p.m. ET ahead of their dad's first appearance before a judge.

Federal prosecutors argued that Combs can't be set free ahead of trial because he allegedly has a long history of tampering with witnesses.

Shortly after a sex abuse lawsuit was filed against him in November 2023, Combs "made multiple calls to another victim of his sexual abuse and recorded certain of those calls" while asking for that victim’s "support and 'friendship,'” prosecutors said in their letter asking to deny Combs bail.

Combs, in that call, "attempted to convince the victim that she had willingly engaged in acts constituting sexual abuse," prosecutors continued.

"Even more concerning, since learning about the criminal investigation, including following the execution of the search warrants at his residences, Combs contacted other witnesses on multiple occasions, including other witnesses who had received grand jury subpoenas."

Money was no object when it came to Combs' desires in highly orchestrated sex acts known as "freak offs," the government said.

"The defendant arranged Freak Offs with the assistance of members and associates of the Enterprise, including employees of his business, and the hotel rooms where they were staged often sustained significant damages," according to a prosecution memo seeking to deny Combs bail.

In one such 2012 incident, held inside a Manhattan hotel, Combs had to pay more than "$46,000 to cover damages to a penthouse room following a Freak Off," the prosecution said.

In addition to a long list of alleged sex crimes, prosecutors accused Sean "Diddy" Combs of arson in the racketeering conspiracy charge against him.

While U.S. Attorney Damian Williams declined to elaborate on specifics of the the alleged arson, the act might be detailed in the prosecution's request for Combs to be held without bail.

Combs and a co-conspirator kidnapped a victim on Dec. 22, 2011, from the home of someone only identified as “Individual-1,” according to a prosecution memo.

"Approximately two weeks later, the defendant’s co-conspirators set fire to Individual-1’s vehicle by slicing open the car’s convertible top and dropping a Molotov cocktail inside the interior," prosecutors said. "Police and fire department reports extensively document the arson and conclude that the fire was intentionally set. Multiple witnesses would also testify to the defendant bragging about his role in destroying Individual-1’s car."

Sean Combs offered to post a $50 million bond so he could be released from custody, pending his trial on three federal counts which accuse him of sex crimes that go back more than a decade.

He's also offered to wear a GPS monitor while limiting travel to New York City and Miami, where he'd only be attending court and seeing his doctors and lawyers, according to a proposed bail package filed by his defense team.

A plane owned by Combs is in Los Angeles and he's in the process of selling it, his lawyers said.

Federal prosecutors are asking a judge to deny bail for Combs, insisting that the defendant is a flight risk and danger to the community.

Accused sex trafficker Sean Combs is a serious risk of flight and "poses a significant risk of obstructing justice," federal authorities said.

The music mogul has a long history of seeking to bribe and illegally influence witnesses, federal prosecutors said in a 16-page letter to the court asking for Combs to be remanded into custody until trial.

"There are simply no conditions that would ensure that the defendant's efforts to obstruct and tamper with witnesses will stop," prosecutors wrote to Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky.

Prosecutors said they worry nothing could stop the defendant from acting out violently.

"In sum, the defendant's long history of violent conduct makes clear that even the most stringent bail conditions will not suffice to ensure the safety of the community," according to the government memo.

Combs faces 15 years to life behind bars if convicted of all charges, allegedly making his flight a threat due to his $1 billion net worth.

Hours- and days-long sex acts known as "freak offs" —  allegedly produced, directed and recorded by Combs — are at the core of this federal prosecution against the music mogul.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams mentioned "freak offs" at least five times in his 18-minute meeting with reporters.

"Combs allegedly planned and controlled the sex performances, which he called 'freak offs' and he often electronically recorded them," Williams told reporters.

"The 'freak offs' sometimes lasted days at a time, involved multiple commercial sex workers, and often involved a variety of narcotics such as ketamine, ecstasy and GHB, which Combs distributed to the victims to keep them obedient and compliant."

Federal prosecutors claimed they seized more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and other lubricants from Combs' homes that were used in these sex acts.

Federal prosecutors put on display images of weapons seized during raids on Combs' homes, including several high capacity firearms.

Two of three AR-15s taken from Combs were in his bedroom closet in Miami, where they had been "broken down into parts, along with magazines with ammunition loaded in them," U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said, pointing at enlarged pictures of the weapons.

Serial numbers on those AR-15s had been defaced, prosecutors said.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams rejected any hints that Combs could be in danger while behind bars while responding to a question about Jeffrey Epstein's suicide in jail.

"We are concerned with anyone's safety whenever they are detained prior to trial, it's part of our obligation," Williams said.

"But I do not draw any sort of connection between Jeffrey Epstein's suicide and what may or may not happen to any other defendant while they are detained pretrial. Our position is that pretrial detention is warranted (for Combs) under the law and based on the facts of this case."

The U.S. government doesn't want Combs released on bail, saying there's a "presumption of detention" in this case.

"So we will be seeking detention," U.S. Attorney Damian Williams told reporters. "There is a presumption of detention in a case like this, and we think that's warranted."

Combs went from the top of New York City to a federal lockup in one year, with U.S. Attorney Damian Williams pledging the investigation is not done and refusing to take further charges off the table.

"A year ago, Sean Combs stood in Times Square and was handed a key to New York City," Williams told reporters today. "Today, he's been indicted and will face justice in the Southern District of New York."

Combs was later forced to give the ceremonial honor back, when Mayor Eric Adams asked for it to be returned.

"We are not done," Williams added when asked about the potential for more charges. "This investigation is ongoing, and I encourage anyone with information about this case to come forward and to do it quickly."

Sean “Diddy” Combs was charged with sex trafficking and more. NBC News’ Chloe Melas is outside the courthouse with the latest reporting. MSNBC’s Lisa Rubin also joins José Díaz-Balart to break down the indictment.

In addition to employing drugs and elements of his business enterprises to control victims, Combs also used physical violence to keep women in control, federal prosecutors said.

"On numerous occasions," Combs would assault women by "among other things, striking, punching, dragging, throwing objects at and kicking them," according to a three-count indictment against the music mogul.

In May of this year, Combs apologized for violent behavior after video surfaced of him beating his ex-girlfriend Cassie in 2016, matching the description of an incident she detailed in a lawsuit.

At the time he said that his “behavior on that video is inexcusable.”

The three-count indictment against Combs include alleged criminal acts going back 16 years, court documents said.

The racketeering count covers acts allegedly committed by the defendant starting in 2008, while sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution started in 2009, court papers showed.

Combs changed his public name and persona to Diddy in 2005, dropping the P in "P. Diddy."

Federal agents raided Combs' homes in Miami and Los Angeles in March and came away with supplies allegedly used in sexual assaults, court documents showed.

At the time of the raids, federal officials would only say they “executed law enforcement actions” in New York as part of an ongoing investigation, along with teams in Los Angeles and Miami.

In court papers made public today, government officials revealed that they took supplies Combs allegedly used in "Freak Off" sexual assaults.

Agents "seized various Freak Off supplies, including narcotics and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant."

At the height of his power, Combs was more than just a musician: He controlled a vast business empire — including record labels and alcohol and clothing brands — that made him a billionaire.

Now, prosecutors are alleging that Combs' commercial enterprise was a key component of his criminal enterprise. The mogul used his businesses and several of his employees "to carry out, facilitate, and cover up his abuse and commercial sex," according to the indictment unsealed this morning.

"Those employees — including security staff, household staff, personal assistants, and high-ranking supervisors — and other close associates acted as COMBS’ intermediaries, and their conduct was facilitated and assisted by COMBS’ control of the Combs Business," prosecutors added. 

The U.S. government is seeking to recover significant financial assets from the famed music mogul through this prosecution, court documents revealed.

Combs could be on the hook for "any and all property, real and personal" and an undetermined "sum of money" involved in these alleged crimes, according to the indictment.

The court document did not specifically list any assets or amount of money it would be seeking to take from Combs.

Sex abuse allegedly directed by Combs was fueled by drugs and often went days at a time, prosecutors said.

Victims were filled with drugs to control them for long stretches of time, authorities said, with participants “typically” having to get “IV fluids to recover from the physical exertion.” 

And once victims were lured into this orbit, they were coerced to keep following the suspect's orders, prosecutors said.

Combs used "the sensitive, embarrassing and incriminating recordings that he made during Freak Offs as collateral to ensure the continued obedience and silence of the victims," according to court documents.

Federal prosecutors accused Combs of forcing victims into sex acts that he allegedly called "freak offs," acts which he recorded for his viewing pleasure.

Combs "used force" to "cause victims to engage in extended sex acts with male commercial sex workers that Combs arranged, directed, masturbated during and often electronically recorded," court documents charged.

The defendant called these acts his "freak offs," prosecutors said.

The charges against Combs allege he "threatened and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires" for years, federal prosecutors said.

Combs created "a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in" various crimes, such as "sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice," court documents said.

A federal indictment was unsealed against Combs, charging him with three felony counts.

He's been accused of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.

The artist and music mogul — referenced in the indictment by his real name, Sean Combs — has entered a New York City courtroom to hear the charges.

Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, has arrived at Manhattan federal court and briefly spoke to a large media gathering outside.

"He came to New York to basically engage the court system and start the case, and it will start today and he’s going to plead not guilty," Agnifilo said. "He’s going to fight this with all of his energy and all of his might and the full confidence of his lawyers."

Sean “Diddy” Combs is in custody after being arrested in New York last night by federal authorities under charges that are part of a sealed indictment. Combs' arrest comes amid a wave of lawsuits against him alleging sexual assault and sex trafficking. NBC’s Chloe Melas reports and Laura Jarrett offers analysis on the possible charges.

Since November 2023, Combs has been hit with a series of lawsuits in New York accusing him of sexual assault, sexual trafficking and engaging in other criminal activity.

Here are the lawsuits that were filed against Combs as well as information about law enforcement investigations. Combs has denied all of the allegations individually through statements by his representatives.

The first big hint that Combs could be facing serious legal issues came in November of last year when the singer Cassie, Combs’ former romantic partner, filed a civil suit against him for alleged sexual and physical abuse. That abuse allegedly ranged from 2007 until Cassie left him in late 2018, according to the civil complaint.