In court documents, federal prosecutors say Combs “abused, threatened and coerced women and others around him to satisfy his sexual desires, protect his reputation and cover up his actions.”
Prosecutors accused Combs of “creating a criminal organization” whose members carried out prostitution, forced labor, kidnapping, arson and bribery under his direction.
According to the documents, Combs allegedly assaulted the women “on multiple occasions, hitting them, punching them, dragging them, throwing objects at them and kicking them.”
The indictment does not specify how many women are alleged victims. It also does not allege that Combs personally engaged in unwanted sexual conduct with any of the women.
Mr. Combs, founder of Bad Boy Records, has been criticized before.
Last November, his ex-girlfriend, singer Cassandra Elizabeth Ventura, filed a civil lawsuit against him that included graphic descriptions of violent abuse. He denied the accusations, but settled the case a day after it was filed.
In May, Combs issued a formal apology after a video emerged showing him punching Ventura in the hallway of a Los Angeles hotel.
The indictment against Combs on Tuesday alleges he committed similar acts of violence.
Douglas Wigdor, Ms. Ventura’s attorney, declined to comment on Mr. Combs’ arrest.
According to court documents, Combs used his position to exert “power” to “entice female victims into engaging in prolonged sexual acts known as ‘freak-offs.'”
“During the Freak Offs, Combs dispensed various controlled substances to the victims, in part to ensure their compliance and obedience,” the indictment states.
At a news conference after the indictment was unsealed, U.S. Attorney Damien Williams said officers raided Combs’ homes in Miami and Los Angeles about six months ago and found guns, ammunition and more than 1,000 bottles of lubricant.
Mr. Williams said federal agents found three semi-automatic rifles with defaced serial numbers and a drum magazine.
He told reporters that additional charges were not ruled out, but did not provide details.
The indictment follows a series of sexual assault allegations against Combs, one of the most successful music moguls in rap history.
Four women, including Mr. Ventura, have accused him of sexual and physical abuse.
In a statement released in December, Mr Combs defended himself against what he described as “disgusting and repulsive” allegations made by “people looking to make a quick buck”.
But his reputation took a hit.
In June, Combs returned the ceremonial key to New York City, which had been gifted to him by then-Mayor Eric Adams just nine months earlier.
A few days later, Howard University announced it was stripping Combs of his 2014 honorary degree.
