UPDATE: Rick Ross has pleaded not guilty to both charges as his attorneys push back against the allegations.
Defense attorney Steve Sadow said Ross, whose legal name is William Roberts II, is being âwrongfully accusedâ by an ex-girlfriend and questioned why the alleged incident was not reported to police until roughly a month later. Ross’ legal team said he maintains his innocence and has asked the public not to prejudge the case before it moves through court.
During Ross’ first court appearance, another moment quickly drew attention. His attorney asked whether his release could be expedited, referring to Ross as a celebrity and raising concerns about his safety while in custody.
Miami-Dade Judge Mindy Glazer responded that she did not know who Ross was and stressed that he would be treated the same as anyone else appearing before the court.
The exchange added an unusual moment to an otherwise serious hearing involving felony battery by strangulation and misdemeanor battery charges.
Newly reported details concerning the alleged August 28 incident also provide more context to the charges. According to reports citing police records, the woman alleged Ross became angry over a social-media photo, struck her several times, grabbed her by the hair and choked her until she struggled to breathe.
Ross has denied wrongdoing. The allegations have not been proven in court, and his arraignment remains scheduled for October 22.
Rapper Rick Ross was arrested in Miami Beach early Thursday, October 1, after authorities charged the hip-hop star with felony battery by strangulation and misdemeanor battery in a domestic violence case.
The 50-year-old rapper, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts, was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami-Dade County at approximately 6:10 a.m., according to jail and court records.
Ross faces one felony count of battery by strangulation and a separate misdemeanor battery charge. Both offenses are listed as domestic violence-related. His total bond was initially listed at $6,000 â $5,000 for the felony charge and $1,000 for the misdemeanor count.
What allegedly happened before Rick Ross’ arrest?
New details emerging after the arrest provide a clearer picture of the allegations behind the case.
According to Page Six, citing police records, the alleged confrontation occurred on August 28. The woman reportedly told investigators that an argument escalated after Ross questioned her over an interaction involving another person on Instagram.
She alleged that Ross slapped her, struck her repeatedly and choked her during the confrontation. The report further alleges that she was pushed or slammed against a wall and had difficulty breathing while being choked.
The woman later provided authorities with photographs that she said documented her injuries. These remain allegations contained in the criminal case and have not been proven in court.
Ross reportedly surrendered to authorities rather than being taken into custody during an active confrontation.
CBS News Miami, citing Miami-Dade jail and court records, confirmed that Ross retained private attorney Bradley Horenstein. His arraignment is currently scheduled for October 22.
Reports indicate Ross has entered a not guilty plea. His legal team disputes the allegations and has raised questions about the timeline between the alleged August incident and when it was reported to authorities.
Arrest follows public abuse allegations involving Jazzma Kendrick
The arrest has attracted additional attention because it came only days after Ross’ former girlfriend, model and content creator Jazzma Kendrick, publicly accused him of physical abuse.
Kendrick posted several Instagram Stories in late September in which she claimed Ross had injured her lip during their relationship. She also shared an image showing an injury she alleged resulted from the incident.
According to People, Kendrick said the alleged incident occurred roughly a month before she made the accusations public and encouraged people experiencing abusive relationships to leave dangerous situations.
However, an important detail remains unresolved: authorities initially did not publicly confirm whether Kendrick’s allegations were directly connected to the criminal charges filed against Ross. Early reporting from CBS Miami specifically noted that the connection had not been established at that stage.
The case therefore remains a developing legal matter, and further details could emerge once the arrest affidavit, court filings and statements from prosecutors and Ross’ defense team become more widely available.
Ross has been one of hip-hop’s most recognizable figures for nearly two decades. The Miami-area native broke through nationally with âHustlin’â and later founded Maybach Music Group, working with artists including Meek Mill and Wale.
His arrest comes amid heightened attention around celebrity legal cases. In another recent entertainment case, model Ana Montana faced felony drug charges, underscoring how quickly allegations involving public figures can move from social media discussion into formal court proceedings.
Note: Rick Ross has been charged but has not been convicted. Allegations described in police records and media reports remain unproven unless established through the court process.
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