American rapper Rick Ross has been arrested in Miami Beach, Florida, and faces domestic violence-related charges following allegations that he assaulted and strangled a woman.
Ross, whose real name is William Leonard Roberts II, was arrested by Miami Beach police early Thursday, October 1, 2026, and booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center at 6:10 a.m. He faces one felony count of battery by strangulation and one misdemeanor count of battery, according to Miami-Dade jail and court records.
The rapper appeared before Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Mindy Glazer later Thursday, where his attorney, Bradley Horenstein, entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf.
During the hearing, Horenstein asked for Ross’ release to be expedited, citing his status as a celebrity and concerns about his safety while in custody.
“Mr. Roberts is a celebrity. I don’t know to whatever degree Your Honor can, but I’d ask that his release be expedited,” Horenstein said.
Glazer responded that Ross would receive the same treatment as other defendants appearing before the court.
“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,” the judge said.
The court also ordered Ross to stay away from the alleged victim. His bond was set at $5,000 for the battery by strangulation charge and $1,000 for the battery charge, bringing the total to $6,000. His arraignment is scheduled for October 22.
The charges relate to an alleged August 28 incident. According to an arrest affidavit, a woman told police that Ross became angry after seeing that she had been tagged in an Instagram photograph.
She alleged that Ross questioned her about the photograph and accused her of being in a relationship with another man before slapping her in the face.
The woman further alleged that Ross struck her several times in the chest before twisting the collar of her hoodie around her neck, restricting her breathing.
She also alleged that he grabbed her by her ponytail and slammed her against a wall before striking her in the face while she was bent over, causing an injury to her lip.
According to the affidavit, the woman said Ross then pushed her to the floor, turned on the shower and attempted to spray her with the showerhead.
The allegations have not been proven in court.
Ross later spoke to reporters outside the correctional centre after posting bond and rejected the allegations against him.
“I’m totally innocent of these fabricated allegations made against me. I repeat, I’m totally innocent of these fabricated allegations made against me,” Ross said.
His attorneys have also maintained that he is being wrongfully accused and have asked the public not to prejudge the case while the legal process continues.
The arrest comes days after Ross’ former girlfriend, Jazzma Kendrick, publicly accused him of physical abuse in a series of Instagram posts.
Kendrick shared photographs of an injured lip and alleged that Ross caused the injury during an incident she said occurred about a month earlier. It remains unclear whether her allegations are connected to the criminal case.
Ross, 50, is known for his music career and is the founder of Maybach Music Group. His latest album, “Set In Stone,” was released in July.
The case remains ongoing, with Ross due to return to court for his arraignment on October 22.
Ademide Adebayo
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