Sean “Diddy” Combs plans to fight his indictment on federal sex-crime charges “with all my might,” his attorney told reporters outside court Tuesday morning.
Speaking outside the federal courthouse in Manhattan, the music mogul’s lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, said “there aren’t many defendants” who are so willing to cooperate with federal authorities.
“He came to New York to basically get involved in the court system and start a case, and he’s going to start today,” Agnifilo said of his client, who is charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation for prostitution.
“Obviously he’s going to plead not guilty,” Agnifilo said.
On Monday, September 16, the US Attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York announced that Combs was arrested by federal agents based on a sealed indictment filed by federal prosecutors.
NSA agents took him into custody at his Manhattan hotel, sources told PEOPLE. On Tuesday, the federal indictment was unsealed.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and prostitution-related charges
Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Steve Granitz/WireImage
In March, federal agents raided Combs’ homes in Beverly Hills and Miami.
“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York conducted law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami and our local law enforcement partners,” Homeland Security Investigations said in a statement.
In November, his ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura, known as Cassie, accused Combs of rape and other allegations.
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The next day, she dropped the lawsuit after they reached an amicable settlement.
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Cassie Ventura and Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Theo Wargo/Getty
Of the federal charges his client faces, Agilfino said, “He will fight this with all his energy and all his strength and with the full confidence of his attorneys and I expect a long battle with a good outcome for Mr. Combs.”
A timeline of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ sexual assault allegations and lawsuits
“I’m going to fight like hell to get him released, and he should be released with everything he’s done and come here voluntarily,” Agilfino added.
In a statement to PEOPLE after the rapper’s arrest Monday, Agnifilo said Combs’ defense is “disappointed” by what he called an “unfair prosecution.”
“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, doting on his children and working to uplift the black community,” said Agnifilo.
“He’s an imperfect person, but he’s not a criminal.”
Prosecutors allege in the indictment that Combs has assaulted multiple women since 2009. One 2016 incident at a Los Angeles hotel, in which Combs allegedly “kicked, dragged and threw a vase” at a woman, was caught on camera, the indictment said. Prosecutors claim the rapper tried to bribe a staff member in exchange for his silence.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.
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