Rapper Rick Ross arrested in Miami Beach on domestic battery charges
Rapper Rick Ross faces felony battery by strangulation and misdemeanor battery charges following a booking at a Miami-Dade correctional facility on Thursday morning.
Arrest and charges in Miami Beach
Police in Miami Beach arrested rapper Rick Ross early Thursday morning on charges connected to an alleged domestic violence incident. Ross, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts, was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center at 6:10 a.m. local time on 1 October. The 50-year-old artist faces two criminal counts, comprising one felony charge of battery by strangulation and one misdemeanor charge of battery. County jail records listed his bail at $5,000, though some court filings listed the bond figure at $6,000. Jail documentation indicated that Ross had not yet posted bond as of Thursday morning following the formal booking.
- Alleged physical altercation occurs between Ross and the complainant.
- Ex-girlfriend Jazzma Kendrick publishes abuse allegations and injury photos on Instagram.
- Complainant files formal domestic violence police report in Miami Beach.
- Ross is booked into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
- Scheduled date for Ross's formal court arraignment.
Details from the arrest report
The formal charges stem from an investigation launched after a woman who had been in a romantic relationship with Ross filed a police complaint on Tuesday, 29 September. According to the arrest report cited by NBC News, the victim stated that the alleged altercation took place a month earlier on 28 August. The report states that Ross accused the woman of being involved with someone else and slapped her across the face each time she denied the accusation. The document further alleges that Ross hit her multiple times, choked her until she could not breathe, and slammed her head against a wall. Police investigators noted that the victim submitted photographic evidence showing her physical injuries, accompanied by timestamps that corroborated the reported timing of the assault.
Defense response and public allegations
Legal representatives representing Ross denied all allegations on Thursday and stated that the performer will contest the charges throughout the legal process. Defense attorney Steve Sadow released a formal statement arguing that the delayed filing raised doubts about the complaint.
The ex did not even file a police report until a month after the claimed incident allegedly took place. Mr. Roberts is innocent and has pled not guilty to the charges. He respectfully requests that his friends, fans and the general public not prejudge the situation and allow the judicial process to run its course.
Defense attorney Bradley Horenstein also stated that Ross maintains his innocence regarding both counts.
All I can say is that the allegations are false. He's innocent. Everything is going to come out. We just ask that you allow the process to play out before rushing to judgment, because the truth will come in.
The arrest occurred days after Ross's former girlfriend, Jazzma Kendrick, published photographs on her Instagram story depicting a swollen lip and accused him of physical abuse. Kendrick stated online that Ross assaulted her before she decided to leave the relationship, though police have not officially identified the victim named in the arrest records.
Legal schedule and musical background
Ross is scheduled to appear before a judge for his formal arraignment on 22 October. The Miami-based recording artist has achieved five number one albums throughout his career, alongside collaborations with artists such as Drake, DJ Khaled, and Nicki Minaj. In July, Ross released his 12th studio album, titled Set In Stone, featuring guest appearances by Gucci Mane, The-Dream, and Yung Miami. Ross remains subject to the pending arraignment date while court filings and bond determinations proceed in Miami-Dade County.
