A grand jury indicted rapper/entertainment mogul Sean "Puffy" Combs today (1/13) on charges of second- and third-degree weapons possession. If convicted of the most serious charge, which stems from a Dec. 27 shooting at a New York nightclub, he could face up to 15 years in prison.

Combs was detained on weapons charges after a loaded gun was found in the sport utility vehicle that carried him, his girlfriend Jennifer Lopez, and two others following a Dec. 27 shooting incident at Club NY that left three people wounded. Police reportedly ran the fleeing Lincoln Navigator off the road after it ran at least 11 red lights.

Since the incident, Combs, who was traveling with Lopez in the back seat of the SUV, has repeatedly proclaimed his innocence, claiming that he doesn't own or use firearms. He has remained free since posting $10,000 bail last month, and is next due in court on Feb. 14, according to the Associated Press.

''The decision to indict me is wrong,'' Combs said in a statement. ''I'm innocent, and we will prove it. I am putting my faith in God, and I know my name will be cleared.''

Also indicted on weapons possessions charges today was Combs' bodyguard, Anthony Jones, who reportedly had a loaded gun by his feet when the SUV was pulled over. Jamal ''Shyne'' Barrow, a little-known rapper signed to Combs' Bad Boy Entertainment label who allegedly fired a different gun inside the nightclub and wounded three people, was previously indicted on attempted murder charges in connection with the case. The driver of the SUV, Wardel Fenderson, has not been indicted.

The New York Daily News reported this morning that Combs had hired high-profile attorneys Johnnie Cochran and Benjamin Brafman to join Harvey Slovis in his defense. Citing unnamed sources, the Daily News also reported that the grand jury was looking into allegations that Combs offered money to Fenderson, to say the gun found in the vehicle belonged to him. The grand jury did not indict Combs on those charges.

Prosecutors are reportedly using the testimony of Fenderson to build a case against the others. Prosecutors didn't pursue charges against Lopez either, but the actress/pop star was detained for questioning by police following the incident. She also testified at least twice before the Manhattan grand jury that handed down today's indictments.

''I cooperated fully with the district attorney's investigation into the shooting at Club NY,'' Lopez said in a statement issued Tuesday. ''I am surprised and saddened to learn of the indictment against Sean Combs. I was with him that evening. At no time did I see him with a gun. I support him wholeheartedly throughout this difficult time. My prayers and thoughts are with the victims of the shooting.''

In related news, Combs has been sued by a second victim of the nightclub shooting. Last week, Robert Thompson, 38, of Danbury, Conn., filed a $50 million suit alleging that he was shot in the right shoulder by Barrow during the Dec. 27 incident. According to the AP, Thompson's lawyer said Combs was sued because he may have encouraged Barrow to fire his weapon. The lawyer reportedly said he would amend the complaint if it is found that Combs did nothing illegal.

A $100 million lawsuit was filed by one of the other shooting victims earlier this month.