Rick Ross battery charges follow an arrest Thursday in Miami Beach, where the rapper was booked on one felony count of battery by strangulation and one misdemeanor battery count, both tied to a domestic violence allegation. Ross has not been convicted of any crime.
Rick Ross battery charges and bond
Ross, 50, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts II, was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center at 6:10 a.m., according to CBS News Miami. Bond was set at $5,000 on the felony count and $1,000 on the misdemeanor, for a total of $6,000. His arraignment is set for Oct. 22.
The Rick Ross battery charges follow our earlier report on his arrest.
What the allegations say
Reports citing a Miami Beach police affidavit say the alleged incident took place Aug. 28 at Ross’ home in the city. The accuser told police Ross hit her and choked her, according to those accounts. The affidavit’s contents are allegations, not findings of fact.
Days before the arrest, model Jazzma Kendrick, described as Ross’ ex-girlfriend, posted photos on Instagram and accused him of abuse, TMZ reported. It was not clear whether her claims are connected to the arrest.
Defense response to the Rick Ross battery charges
Ross’ attorney, Bradley Horenstein, told TMZ that Ross is being wrongfully accused by an ex-girlfriend whose motives are unclear. He pointed to the roughly one-month gap between the alleged incident and the police report. Some outlets reported that Ross pleaded not guilty, though his arraignment has not yet taken place.
For more on legal cases in hip-hop, see our coverage of the Jay-Z extortion case and the Lil Durk trial.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-7233 or thehotline.org.
