Rapper Rick Ross, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts II, was arrested Thursday on charges of felony battery by strangulation and misdemeanor domestic battery following a report that he assaulted his girlfriend at his Star Island home in late August. Ross has pleaded not guilty and says he is “totally innocent.”
The Arrest and Charges
Ross, 50, was booked into Miami-Dade’s Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center at 6:10 a.m. Thursday, according to jail records, which list both charges as involving domestic violence. According to authorities, the alleged incident occurred at Ross’s home on Star Island, an exclusive Miami Beach neighborhood, on August 28, but was not reported to police until the following week. Police say the alleged victim had been in a relationship with Ross for about a year and was living with him at the time.
Ross turned himself in to Miami Beach police Thursday morning.
What the Arrest Report Alleges
According to the arrest report, the woman told police she was woken up on the morning of August 28 by Ross, who she said was enraged after seeing her tagged in a photo on Instagram. The report states he accused her of lying to him and being in a relationship with someone she described as merely a friend, and that he slapped her in the face each time she denied the accusation.
The report further alleges that Ross struck her, including multiple times in the chest, and grabbed the collar of the hoodie she was wearing, twisting it to the point she couldn’t breathe. At one point, the report states, he grabbed her by the ponytail and slammed her against the wall before striking her in the face, causing a busted lip, then pushed her to the floor and turned on the shower to spray her with the showerhead.
Police say the woman was able to leave the bathroom and eventually the home. According to the report, she had contacted a friend to pick her up, but that friend was turned away; Ross later posted a photo on Instagram showing the friend’s arrival at the scene. Police say the woman provided photographic evidence of her injuries with timestamps consistent with the alleged incident, and that detectives are aware of possible video footage related to the case.
It’s important to note that these are allegations contained in a police report, not findings of fact. Ross denies them, and he has not been convicted of any crime.
Ross’s Court Appearance and Response
Ross appeared before Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Mindy S. Glazer on Thursday alongside attorney Bradley Horenstein, who asked that his release be expedited, noting Ross’s public profile: “Mr. Roberts is a celebrity. I don’t know to whatever degree Your Honor can, but I’d ask that his release be expedited. He’s in a red jumpsuit for purposes of his safety.”
Judge Glazer responded: “Hi Mr. Roberts, I have no idea who you are except as somebody here in the court who’s going to be treated fairly just like everybody here.” She set bond at $5,000 and ordered Ross to stay away from the alleged victim. His arraignment is scheduled for October 22.
Horenstein entered a not guilty plea on Ross’s behalf, telling reporters: “All I can say is that the allegations are false. He is innocent.” Speaking to reporters himself after posting bond, Ross said: “I’m totally innocent of these fabricated allegations made against me. I repeat, I’m totally innocent of these fabricated allegations made against me.” Asked by a reporter whether the alleged victim was making the accusation up, his attorney replied, “Yes, she’s making it up,” with Ross adding, “Of course it’s totally fabricated, my brother.” Ross declined to provide a formal statement to police on the advice of his legal counsel.
Rick Ross told, “I have no idea who you are” by Judge Mindy Glazer. His attorney asked for Ross’ release to “expedited” because he’s a celebrity. @wsvn pic.twitter.com/ZpzDeExosu
— Sheldon Fox-7 News (@fox_sheldon) October 1, 2026
Police Comment
At a Thursday news conference, Miami Beach Police spokesperson Christopher Bess described the department’s understanding of events: “According to the victim, there was a verbal dispute, which unfortunately escalated to that of a physical one. The charges are simple battery and battery by strangulation. The victim was wearing a hoodie, at which point in time, the offender grabbed that hoodie, and according to the victim, she began to lose her breath at that time.” Bess added that the case will proceed through the standard judicial process and that Ross is “innocent until proven guilty.”
A Second Set of Allegations in Recent Weeks
This arrest comes shortly after Ross’s ex-girlfriend, model Jazzma Kendrick, publicly accused him of physical abuse in a series of Instagram posts, sharing photos of a bruised lip and writing, “The day Rick busted my lip and the day I left.” Those allegations were separate from this arrest and involved a different relationship; Ross had not publicly responded to Kendrick’s claims as of that reporting.
Ross’s Career
Ross, a South Florida native, rose to fame with his 2006 hit “Hustlin'” and has had dozens of songs chart on the Billboard Hot 100 over a two-decade career. He’s widely credited with helping bring Miami back into the national rap spotlight and pioneering luxury-focused rap music, and has also launched the careers of numerous artists through his record label, Maybach Music Group.
