American rapper Rick Ross, whose legal name is William Roberts II, was arrested in Miami Beach on Thursday for alleged battery in connection to a domestic violence incident, as confirmed by local authorities to The Associated Press. Ross faces one felony count of battery by strangulation and one misdemeanor battery charge. Online court records show that he was released on a cash bond following the arrest.
According to reports, an unidentified woman living with Ross claimed that on August 28, he accused her of infidelity and physically attacked her. The woman alleged that Ross choked her with her shirt collar and forcefully pushed her into a wall. The incident was reported on Tuesday, leading to Ross surrendering himself at the local police station on Thursday morning.
In an Instagram story shared from a car on Thursday, Ross repeatedly asserted his innocence, denouncing the accusations as “fabricated allegations.” Legal representatives for Ross emphasized his innocence in a statement to CBC News, stating that the rapper pleaded not guilty to both charges. Ross’ defense attorneys, Steve Sadow and Bradley Horenstein, urged the public to refrain from making premature judgments and to allow the legal process to unfold.
Ross gained fame as a Miami-based rapper in the 2000s, achieving prominence with his debut single “Hustlin'” in 2006 and later signing with Jay Z’s label Def Jam Records. His first album, “Port of Miami,” debuted at the top spot on the Billboard 200 chart. In 2008, he established his own label, Maybach Music Group, where he signed notable artists such as Meek Mill and French Montana. An arraignment for the case is scheduled for October 22.
For immediate assistance in cases of danger or intimate partner violence, please contact 911. Those affected by such situations can seek help through crisis lines and local support services.