Four months after 2016 surveillance video of Sean “Diddy” Combs assaulting ex Cassie Ventura was released, prosecutors read alleged texts between the two during his second attempt at requesting bail.
More details about the alleged victims of Sean “Diddy” Combs have come to light.
Four months after CNN published a 2016 surveillance video of the rapper assaulting ex Cassie Ventura in a hotel hallway, prosecutors read the alleged texts between them during his second attempt at requesting bail Sept. 18.
During the hearing, which occurred two days after Combs was arrested in New York City and charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution, Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson said, per an NBC News reporter present in court, that Combs allegedly sent a text in the days following the assault that read, “Call me, the cops are here.”
“I have six kids,” he continued. “Call, I’m surrounded.”
Johnson alleged that the victim of the 2016 attack, who was not named during the hearing, responded, “Sick you think it’s OK to do what you’ve done.”
E! News has reached out to reps for Ventura and Diddy for comment and has not heard back yet.
Combs was denied bail after a judge determined during the hearing that the bail package presented by the defense was “insufficient.” Judge Andrew Carter agreed with prosecutors that there was “no condition that would assure” that the 54-year-old wouldn’t “obstruct justice.”
Meanwhile, Combs’ attorney Marc Agnifilo disagreed with the ruling outside of the courthouse.
“It did not go our way,” Agnifilo said of the hearing, per NBC News reporters. “He believes he’s innocent. I believe he’s innocent, and we’re going to fight this case with all of our might until we don’t have to fight any longer.”
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In the 2016 surveillance video of the assault, which was published by CNN this May, showed Combs running down a hotel hallway after Ventura before grabbing her, pulling her to the ground and kicking her repeatedly.
The video also showed him picking up the bags she was carrying and dragging her by the sweatshirt. The incident matched the description Ventura—who dated the Baby Boy Records founder for 10 years until their 2018 split—detailed in her November lawsuit against her ex, in which she accused him of rape and abuse. Combs denied the accusations at the time and settled the lawsuit the day after it was filed without an admission of wrongdoing.
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However, he addressed the footage days after the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office announced charges couldn’t be filed against him due to California’s statute of limitations.
“It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that,” he said in his May Instagram video. “I was f–ked up. I hit rock bottom. But I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video.”
“I was disgusted then when I did it,” he continued. “I’m disgusted now. I went and I sought out professional help. Had to go into therapy, go into rehab. Had to ask God for His mercy and grace. I’m so sorry. But I’m committed to be a better man each and every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m truly sorry.”
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Days later, Ventura shared gratitude for the love and support she’d received following the video’s release.
“The outpouring of love has created a place for my younger self to settle and feel safe now, but the is only the beginning,” she wrote on Instagram. “Domestic Violence is THE issue. It broke me down to someone I never thought I would become. With a lot of hard work, I am better today, but I will always be recovering from my past.”
“I offer my hand to those that are still living in fear,” she continued. “This healing journey is never ending, but this support means everything to me.”
Keep reading for a full breakdown of Diddy’s legal case.
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Search Warrants Executed on Diddy’s L.A. and Miami Properties
Federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed search warrants at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Los Angeles and Miami properties on March 25, multiple law enforcement sources confirmed to NBC News.
The sources told the outlet the warrant was out of the Southern District of New York, and a spokesperson for HSI New York confirmed to E! News it “executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners.”
Law enforcement sources told NBC News the music mogul was in the Miami area when the search warrants were executed.
Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images
News about the investigation broke after Combs faced allegations of sexual misconduct in lawsuits filed by multiple accusers starting in November, with the musician denying the allegations.
“Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday,” he wrote in a December statement posted on Instagram. “Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.”
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Diddy’s Attorney Speaks Out
The day after HSI executed the search warrants at Combs’ L.A. and Miami properties, his lawyer spoke out.
“Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs’ residences,” attorney Aaron Dyer said in a March 26 statement to E! News. “There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated.”
Dyer noted Combs “was never detained but spoke to and cooperated with authorities.”
“Despite media speculation, neither Mr. Combs nor any of his family members have been arrested nor has their ability to travel been restricted in any way,” his lawyer’s statement continued. “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.”
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And Dyer expressed Combs’ intent to defend himself.
“There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations,” he added. “Mr. Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name.”
Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images for Sean “Diddy” Combs
Details About the Raid Revealed
As for what actually went down during the searches, multiple law enforcement sources familiar with the warrant told NBC News authorities with the Department of Homeland Security seized phones from Combs’ home in Miami before he was scheduled to travel to the Bahamas, and several sources familiar with the matter added that guns were discovered during the search.
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One source familiar with the matter also told NBC News three women and one man were interviewed by prosecutors and investigators from the Southern District of New York about allegations of sex trafficking, sexual assault, the solicitation and distribution of illegal narcotics and firearms purportedly tied to Combs.
Miami-Dade Police Department
Diddy’s Associate Brendan Paul Arrested on Suspicion of Drug Possession
On the same day the search warrants were executed at Combs’ Miami and Los Angeles properties, one of his associates, Brendan Paul, was arrested by the Miami-Dade police on suspicion of drug possession, a law enforcement source familiar with the matter told NBC News.
According to the Miami-Dade arrest affidavit obtained by the outlet, Paul was taken into custody for allegedly possessing suspected cocaine and suspected marijuana candy.
Prison records obtained by NBC News show Paul was released on March 26 after posting bond.
“We do not plan on trying this case in the media,” Paul’s attorney Brian Bieber said in a statement obtained by the outlet, “all issues will be dealt with in court.”
In May, Paul accepted a plea deal, with his lawyer Bieber telling People, “Brendan accepted the prosecutor’s offer to permit his entry into the diversion program which, after completion, the case against him will be dismissed in its entirety.”
Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images for Sean “Diddy” Combs
Diddy Arrested in New York
He was arrested in the lobby of a New York hotel on Sept. 16, 2024, according to NBC News. It’s unclear what Combs has been charged with and if the arrest has any potential connection to the raids.
“We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” his lawyer Marc Agnifilo said in a statement to E! News. “He is an imperfect person but Is not 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.”
The lawyer added, “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 Charged With Sex Trafficking & Racketeering
After Combs was arrested based on the sealed indictment, the indictment was unsealed on Sept. 17.
The 54-year-old was charged with racketeering conspiracy; sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; as well as transportation to engage in prostitution, according to court documents obtained by NBC News.
The indictment alleged Combs “abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct” for more than a decade, with prosecutors saying the purported behavior started around 2008.
“To do so,” the documents stated, “Combs relied on the employees, resources, and influence of the multi-faceted business empire that he led and controlled—creating a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in, and attempted to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice.”
According to NBC News, Combs pleaded not guilty and was denied bail.
“He’s going to fight this with all of his energy and all of his might,” his attorney Marc Agnifilo told reporters outside the courthouse prior to the arraignment, “and the full confidence of his lawyers.”
