Fact Check: Authenticity of Diddy’s Mugshot from Recent Arrest – Explanation of Viral Photo

A viral image purported to be Sean “Diddy”Combs’ mugshot has been creating buzz on social media after his arrest on September 16. This picture has been shared widely across platforms like Threads and Instagram, in the wake of the rapper facing federal charges of “sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution.”

However, this claim has been refuted by USA Today. Although the mugshot is genuine, it does not originate from Diddy’s recent arrest; rather, it was taken during a firearms-related arrest in 1999. The police have yet to disclose the mugshot from his latest arrest.

In December 1999, Diddy, accompanied by then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez, was in a Times Square nightclub with his bodyguard Anthony Wolf and protégé Shyne. An incident involving Combs and another patron escalated into gunfire, injuring three individuals.

Combs, Lopez, and Jones fled the scene in a vehicle that was pursued by police, who discovered a stolen firearm inside. Combs, Jones, and Shyne were charged with gun possession. While Combs and Jones were acquitted in a 2001 trial, Shyne was convicted on five counts and sentenced to prison.

Diddy’s alleged mugshot went viral in March

Earlier this year, another alleged mugshot of Diddy gained traction on social media following a March 25 raid on his properties in LA and Miami by Homeland Security. On March 27, Instagram user @riiahworld posted two images: one showing Diddy supposedly being escorted by police and another claimed to be his mugshot.

However, Newsweek fact-checked these claims, indicating that the images were either manipulated or AI-generated, with several inconsistencies noted when compared to other pictures of Diddy.

The images shared by @riiahworld included the hashtag #definitelyai, supporting the possibility that they were AI-rendered. Additionally, Diddy was not arrested during the raids, making the images of him being escorted by police unlikely.

Diddy’s arrest video went public

On September 20, TMZ released exclusive footage showing Diddy’s arrest. Captured by CCTV at the Park Hyatt Hotel, the video depicts a man in a long black coat, presumed to be Diddy, being handcuffed and escorted out of the hotel by federal agents.

Reports suggest that Combs had been staying at the hotel since arriving in New York. His attorney, Marc Agnifilo, stated that Diddy traveled from Florida to New York on September 5 to surrender voluntarily, although prosecutors did not accept his offer.

“The most important thing … is that Mr. Combs came to New York on September 5. As soon as we realized that this indictment was going to be coming down soon, Mr. Combs got on a plane,”Agnifilo explained in an interview with CNN.

Agnifilo acknowledged that his client anticipated formal charges due to the raids on March 25, which uncovered firearms, illegal drugs, and even 1,000 bottles of baby oil. The authorities also gathered evidence regarding incidents termed as “freak offs.”

The indictment described these “freak offs”as elaborate sexual acts that Combs allegedly coordinated and filmed, during which he supposedly coerced and drugged women to engage with sex workers. These events were alleged to last for days, leaving the victims so drained that they required IV fluids for recovery.

During the arraignment on September 17, Judge Robyn Tarnofsky denied Diddy’s bail request, which included a $50 million bond, citing concerns about him being a flight risk as well as a potential threat to victims and witnesses.

“I don’t believe that counsel has the ability to control you, given the very significant concerns I have, particularly because of substance abuse and what seem like anger issues,”Judge Tarnofsky remarked.

Agnifilo’s appeal against the no-bail order was denied the following day. Sean Combs has pleaded not guilty to the three charges he faces and is currently awaiting trial at the Metropolitan Detention Center. Reports indicate that he is under suicide watch, with sources suggesting he may be refusing food for fear of possible poisoning. His next hearing is slated for October 9, 2024.

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