Rap star and veteran music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs rose to fame in the 1990s by serving as a producer for such artists as Mary K. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim and the late Biggie Smalls.

However, the 54-year-old longtime celebrity is now facing years in prison following a raid by federal authorities. 

Rapper arrested at New York hotel

According to the New York Post, Combs was taken into custody at a New York City hotel on Monday evening as part of a sex trafficking investigation.

Damian Williams is the United States attorney for the Southern District of New York, and he addressed the incident in a statement

"Earlier this evening, federal agents arrested Sean Combs, based on a sealed indictment filed by the SDNY. We expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time," Williams declared.

Fox News reported that the indictment was unsealed on Tuesday, and it contains three felony charges leveled at Combs. They are racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution.

Combs said to have preyed on women, hired male sex workers

The recording artist and producer is accused of committing in "violence, use of firearms, threats of violence, coercion, and verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse" against his victims.

In addition to preying on women "under the pretense of a romantic relationship," Combs is also said to have transported male sex workers across state and international lines.

"Now I want to be clear about two things," the U.S. attorney was quoted as saying as he spoke with reporters at a press conference on Tuesday.

"First, this office is determined to investigate and prosecute anyone who engages in sex trafficking, no matter how powerful or wealthy or famous you may be. No one should doubt our commitment on that," he declared.

"Second, we are not done. This investigation is ongoing, and I encourage anyone with information about this case to come forward and to do it quickly," Williams added.

Earlier raid discovered guns with defaced serial numbers

Fox News noted that an earlier raid in March on properties belonging to Combs uncovered three AR-15 rifles with serial numbers which had been defaced.

What's more, agents also discovered "cases and cases of the kinds of personal lubricant and baby oil that Combs' staff allegedly used to stock hotel rooms."

Meanwhile, defense attorney Marc Agnifilo denied any wrongdoing on Combs' part and insisted that his client "should be released."