Videos show federal agents raiding Sean 'Diddy' Combs' homes

Breaking news. The Department of Homeland Security has just confirmed to CNN that

federal

law enforcement

agents

have raided properties owned by musician and producer Sean Diddy Combs. Let's bring in CNN security correspondent Josh Campbell and CNN legal analyst Joey Jackson. Josh, let me start with you. What are these raids by

federal

agents

in multiple locations? Inform you about the seriousness of this investigation. Yes, Wolf, very significant progress here, seeing that this police action is taking place. I will note, to be clear from the beginning, we do not know if Sean Diddy Combs himself is the subject or target of a federal investigation.

So it's worth pointing out at this hour. But what we do know is that there are two properties associated with it. We saw the feds attack those properties. We saw aerial footage. Federal agents both here in the Los Angeles area and in Miami at those residences. Now, the Department of Homeland Security, what's called HFC Homeland Security Investigations, gave CNN a statement. I will read part of that to you when you ask me what this activity is. They say today, HCA in New York executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation with the help of HCA, Los Angeles HCA, Miami and our local law enforcement partners.

That's it, confirming that they are carrying out what they consider to be police actions, which could indicate that search warrants are being carried out there, could indicate that arrests are being made. We simply do not know at this time specifically what that police action is. It's worth noting, however, that Combs himself has obviously faced major legal problems in recent months. I'll give you just some of the highlights of what really happened. In November, an ex-partner sued him for rape and abuse. That Suttle, that lawsuit was resolved very quickly. But in December, he faced allegations of sexual assault in a complaint filed in the Southern District of New York.

The lawsuit was filed by a woman known as Jane Doe, who said she was 17 years old at the time these allegations occurred. And back in 2003, he was accused of sex trafficking and gang rape, among other accusations. Also in that lawsuit, naming two of his associates, of course, Combs denied any wrongdoing there. And then, just last month, a former employee of Combs filed a lawsuit also in New York state, accusing him of sexual assault, sexual harassment and, quote, grooming. That former employee claimed that he had worked for Combs between 2022 and 2023. Among those allegations, this former employee, a male employee, said that Combs did not compensate him for his music production work and forced him to hire and interact with female workers. sexual.

He threatened to serve alcoholic beverages laced with drugs to guests at parties at Combs' home. And then Combs' son, Sean. Justin Combs' son, Justin Combs, was also accused of soliciting prostitutes and underage girls at his father's

homes

; the Combs have denied any wrongdoing. But just a series of accusations that we've seen happen. The last point, Wolf, I'll make is that while we don't know the specific allegations or why the feds are in these residences, it's worth noting the agency that's carrying out this policing activity, it's not the FBI, it's not even the DEA nor the ATF.

This is H.S. Homeland Security Investigations for those unfamiliar. This is an agency that has long been at the forefront specifically in human trafficking investigations. So while we don't have the details yet, we're starting to, you know, we can deduce, based on which agency has the initiative, the direction this could take. But then again, we still don't know if Combs himself was the target of Wolf's investigation. We do know at this time that federal agents were in two of his

homes

, both here in Los Angeles and in Florida Wolf. Yes, important points. And Joey Jackson, let me repeat.

We do not know. Sean Diddy Combs himself is under investigation. But it's clear, Joey, that it's not good that your houses are being raided. No, it's not, Wolf. And I think the conclusions that can be drawn remain to be seen. Good. We are not talking about an accusation. That means we're not talking about a grand jury reaching a conclusion, not as to guilt. That's not what grand juries do, it's the reasons to believe a crime was committed and he committed it. Having said this. Whenever you do a raid and an investigation, you need to really rely on these things.

Good. The precursor to this happening would be some probable cause. What is that probable cause? We do not know. But let's get back to what Josh Campbell talked about, which is those various demands. Now, the lawsuits are actions of a civil nature. They are not criminals at all. But what they do is give the authorities some guidelines and guidelines regarding the alleged conduct that occurred, who they were, what activities there were, what they were involved in, so that if there is an investigation, it can serve as a source of abundant information. , that information could certainly be investigated further by this National Security Agency.

And as a result of that, they can work with their local law enforcement partners. What does that mean? It means that they collectively, law enforcement, try to determine if there is reason to believe that crimes were committed and what crimes were carried out and associated in some way. We do not know. You know, with Sean Combs, that remains to be seen. But before the authorities, Wolf can enter anyone's home or property. You have to establish a firm foundation to do so. And that's what we can at least conclude: They had reason to believe that there appeared to be crimes related to sex trafficking and that these areas can potentially provide more information regarding the details.

And I think they would be looking for computer devices and other devices that seemed to indicate or give information about whether there was any crime very early in the process. But we certainly know that they have been carried out and we will see what information, if any, is obtained that suggests any crime. Very interesting. Josh, let me get back to you. You know the FBI very well. Under what circumstances would raids like these take place? Well, this would require, if a search is actually being conducted, it would require federal agents in this case with Homeland Security investigations to go to a judge and request a warrant stating that we believe evidence of a crime could be located in these residences.

And then this third party, an independent judge, has to approve that order and then you see what's happening now on our screen, particularly with a focus on that big RV-looking vehicle there. This is the mobile command post that federal agencies will send when they are going to be somewhere for a long time. I mean, if you look at these residences, we're talking about very large properties. And as Joey mentioned, something as simple as a USB flash drive or any place where electronic media can be stored. If it's on that warrant, authorities can search that residence from top to bottom, looking for any type of device, any type of storage mechanism that fits within the four corners of that search warrant.

Now, once again, I caution that we don't know specifically why they were there. I think it tells us that, you know, just because you see that big posture of all these federal vehicles that are there, including this mobile command post, this probably wasn't something as simple as an arrest where you

show

up. and you tell him that you find the person you're looking for, but probably more along the lines of a search warrant, which is consistent with what HCA told us in that statement when they say police actions. That's something we often hear from federal agents as a euphemism for conducting some type of search.

But again, both residences, both where I am here in Los Angeles, are just a few miles from the CNN office where this search is taking place. Also in Miami you see this large group of federal agencies attacking those houses. Again, the big question now, what are they looking for? We are awaiting details on this as this search continues. And Joey. The video also

show

s heavily armed officers entering Diddy's home. How unusual is that? So it's not unusual. I mean, I think what authorities do is certainly want to protect themselves, potentially to deter any kind of criminal activity that may occur.

Not that there were any, but you never know. And as a result of that, once they are armed, not just literally armed, but armed with respect to a court order, you know, that would suggest that they have reason to be there, that there is criminality that would potentially be afoot. You go to law enforcement and make sure the area is safe so they can get any information that warrants it and can continue investigating. It is very important to note, Wolf, that these and the research stages are typical of any type of research. Good. This is the United States of America.

Everyone has rights, but you don't enter someone's house without checking that there may be what we call signs of criminality. Now the authorities will evaluate everything they find in relation to this search. And if that search bears fruit regarding any potential criminality on any computing device, any cell phone device, any USB stick, or anything else, then they will connect the dots. And if appropriate, they will move to the next level. And that could lead to something more serious. Again, all speculation at this point. But now we know that they certainly had enough information to be in California and Miami.

It remains to be seen what follows from this. Joey Jackson, Josh Campbell, both of you, thank you very, very much.