LOS ANGELES — Federal agents discovered firearms during the search of properties linked to Sean “Diddy” Combs in Los Angeles and Miami, as reported by sources familiar with the matter on Tuesday.
Homeland Security Investigations executed warrants from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on Monday, seizing Combs’ phones in Miami before his planned trip to the Bahamas.
The music mogul is under federal criminal investigation amidst several lawsuits filed against him, including allegations of sex trafficking, sexual assault, and illegal narcotics and firearms solicitation and distribution.
Questions remain regarding the types of firearms found and their ownership. Combs’ attorney, Aaron Dyer, criticized the searches as an excessive use of force, emphasizing that neither Combs nor his family members were arrested.
Combs, denying the accusations, has been the subject of various civil lawsuits since November, including claims from his former partner, Cassie, alleging physical and sexual abuse. Cassie utilized the New York Adult Survivors Act to file a lawsuit against Combs, which was later settled.
Additionally, other women have come forward with lawsuits accusing Combs of sexual assault, with some stating they were teenagers at the time of the alleged incidents.
A former employee, Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, filed a lawsuit claiming sexual harassment, drugging, threats, and involvement in illegal activities by Combs and his staff. The ongoing cases continue to be denied by Combs.
Separately, an associate of Combs, Brendan Paul, was arrested on drug charges at a Miami airport, coinciding with the federal search warrants at Combs’ properties. Paul was released on bond, and his attorney stated that the case would be addressed in court.
Paul’s connection to Combs is highlighted in the civil lawsuit filed by Jones, alleging that Paul and Jones were tasked with transporting drugs and firearms for Combs during his travels.
The article to Combs’ representative for comment was not immediately returned, indicating a lack of response to inquiries about the association between Paul and Combs. All issues regarding the case are expected to be addressed in court proceedings.