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Rapper Rick Ross arrested in Miami Beach
Ross, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts II, voluntarily surrendered to Miami Beach police and was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center at about 6:10 a.m. He faces one felony count of battery by strangulation and one misdemeanor count of battery.
The 50-year-old rapper appeared in Miami-Dade bond court later Thursday and pleaded not guilty through his attorney.
Woman Accuses Ross of Physical Abuse
According to the arrest affidavit, the alleged incident happened Aug. 28 at Ross' residence.
Police said the woman, who had been in a relationship with Ross for about a year and was living with him at the time, reported the incident to authorities on Sept. 29.
The woman told investigators that Ross became angry after she was tagged in an Instagram photo and allegedly slapped her in the face. She later said he accused her of being involved with another man and repeatedly struck her while they were in a bathroom.
The affidavit further alleges that Ross restricted her breathing by grabbing and twisting the collar of her hoodie. Police say he also allegedly pulled her by her ponytail, slammed her against a wall and struck her in the face, causing a busted lip.
The woman reportedly provided investigators with timestamped photographs of injuries she said resulted from the encounter.
Police Say They Reviewed Surveillance Footage
Investigators also reviewed surveillance footage from the property, according to the arrest report.
The woman told police that she contacted a friend to pick her up from Ross' home, but the friend was allegedly turned away. Authorities said Ross later posted a photograph on Instagram showing the friend arriving at the property.
The allegations have not been proven in court, and Ross is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Ross Says the Allegations Are False
Ross has strongly denied the accusations.
After leaving jail Thursday, he told reporters that he was “totally innocent” and described the allegations as fabricated. His attorney, Bradley Horenstein, likewise said the accusations are false and urged the public not to prejudge the case while the legal process unfolds.
An earlier statement from attorney Steve Sadow also said Ross was being wrongfully accused by an ex-girlfriend and pointed out that the police report was filed about a month after the alleged incident.
Bond Set at $5,000
During Thursday's hearing, a judge set Ross' total bond at $5,000. He was also ordered to stay away from the alleged victim and have no direct or indirect contact with her, including through social media or third parties.
The judge also ordered Ross to surrender firearms and prohibited him from possessing firearms while the case is pending.
Ross bonded out later Thursday.
His arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 22.
A New Legal Battle for the Rapper
The arrest comes as Ross continues a long-running career in hip-hop and business.
The Miami-area native rose to fame with his 2006 hit “Hustlin'” and went on to release the platinum-selling album Port of Miami. He later founded Maybach Music Group and has received nine Grammy nominations. His latest album, Set In Stone, was released in July 2026.
For now, the criminal case will move through the court system, with prosecutors and Ross' defense expected to present their respective accounts of what happened in August.
Source: WSVN-TV
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