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Federal officers have been performing on particular allegations of intercourse trafficking after they raided two of Diddy’s houses on Monday — they usually say his alleged sufferers have no longer been preserving again throughout interviews.
An officer with the Division of Native land Safety advised The Put up the case has been energetic for a number of weeks as government examine a spread of allegations towards the 54-year-old rapper and wealthy person.
“We consider that there’s a stressful historical past of intercourse trafficking,” mentioned the Miami-based officer, who spoke underneath situation of anonymity.
“We’re responding to concrete, detailed, specific allegations. This isn’t random. We didn’t make a choice his identify out of a hat. We had allegations that we’re following up on.”
The general public first was conscious about allegations towards Diddy when his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, filed a federal civil swimsuit towards him in November closing 12 months. That case used to be settled out of court docket the following day, however has been adopted by means of 3 additional proceedings allegeing intercourse attack, all of which Diddy has strongly denied.
He has additionally no longer been charged with any crime or wrongdoing at this level.
“We was conscious about sure allegations throughout the process the civil fits towards Mr. Combs,” mentioned the officer. “It’s a must to needless to say we didn’t simply make a decision on a whim to look his houses. A federal pass judgement on needed to log off. This isn’t a witch hunt.”
An legal professional for Combs, Aaron Dyer, didn’t go back The Put up’s messages for remark.
On Monday, when Native land Safety brokers raided Combs’ mansions in each Los Angeles and Miami they confiscated laborious drives, telephones, and different proof.
The officer tells The Put up that they’re on the lookout for “footage, emails, texts, itineraries, expectantly names. There are certain communications that we’re conscious about that we will get entry to at the electronics.”
The multi-agency investigation is being spearheaded by means of america legal professional’s place of business for the Southern District of New York.
Monday’s seek used to be finished by means of Native land Safety investigators.
In a observation on Tuesday, Dyer decried the DHS’ raids as a “gross overuse of military-level pressure as seek warrants have been finished at Mr. Combs’ apartments” and vowed Diddy would transparent his identify.
Along with the hunt, government are interviewing alleged sufferers and witnesses, together with 3 lady and one guy who’re suing Diddy in civil courts, consistent with resources.
The DHS operative mentioned those that have been interviewed for the investigation were very thorough and detailed.
“That’s a humorous factor about sufferers. They is also reluctant to talk in the beginning, however after they get started speaking, they communicate. They communicate so much. We’re getting numerous cooperation from numerous individuals who need to see him dropped at justice.”
Diddy used to be stopped from boarding a non-public jet out of america on Monday and is assumed to have remained in Florida since. Then again, in spite of the raids attracting quite a lot of consideration, he stays a unfastened guy.
“He isn’t underneath arrest; he’s underneath investigation,” the legislation enforcement supply made transparent. “He’s unfastened at this time to do what he needs, however he’s conscious that if fees come down, we will be able to get him — anywhere he’s.”