Federal agents raided Sean “Diddy” Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami on Monday as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged human trafficking. While no criminal charges have been filed, the searches were conducted by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from local law enforcement. Combs’ sons were detained outside the Los Angeles home during the search but were released without charges.
The investigation stems from a complaint filed in December by a Canadian woman known as Jane Doe, who alleges she was sex-trafficked and gang-raped in 2003 by Combs, former Bad Boy Entertainment president Harve Pierre, and an unnamed defendant. The lawsuit claims Pierre and the unnamed defendant approached the teen in Detroit, Michigan, and lured her to Combs’ studio in New York City, where she was allegedly plied with drugs and alcohol before being assaulted.
Combs denied the allegations on social media, stating that the claims were made by individuals seeking financial gain and that he did not commit the acts described in the lawsuit. Pierre’s attorneys also responded to the suit, denying the allegations against him. An earlier complaint was filed by Combs’ former girlfriend, Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura, accusing him of sex trafficking and sexual assault. The lawsuit was settled amicably the following day.
Ventura alleged that she was trafficked, raped, and beaten by Combs during their relationship, which began when she was 19 and he was 37. She claimed that Combs manipulated her into a fast-paced and drug-fueled lifestyle and subjected her to emotional abuse. Combs’ attorney, Ben Brafman, stated that his client vehemently denied the accusations and that settling the lawsuit does not indicate admission of guilt.
The raids at Combs’ properties in Los Angeles and Miami were part of a federal investigation led by the Southern District of New York into the allegations of human trafficking. While Combs and Pierre have denied the claims against them, the investigation continues. Combs’ legal team has not provided further comment on the ongoing investigation. The search warrant executed by Homeland Security Investigations was carried out with assistance from local law enforcement partners.
