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Rick Ross Arrested on Domestic Violence Charges
Confirmed
In Short: Ross faces one felony count of battery by strangulation and one misdemeanor count of battery, both listed as domestic violence-related charges.
Rapper Rick Ross, born William Roberts, was arrested in Miami Beach on Thursday morning on two battery charges, including one for battery by strangulation, according to Miami-Dade County jail records.
The charges are related to a domestic violence incident that occurred at his Star Island mansion in late August, as reported by CBS News and Miami Beach police.
According to the arrest affidavit, on Aug. 28, Ross allegedly slapped a woman in the face and restricted her breathing by twisting the collar of her hoodie while she was in the bathroom.
The affidavit also states that Ross later grabbed the woman by her ponytail and slammed her against a wall, causing a busted lip.
The woman, who was reportedly Ross' live-in girlfriend for over a year, told investigators that the incident began when Ross questioned her about a photo she was tagged in on Instagram.
The rapper was given a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned on Oct. 22.
Ross' attorney, Bradley Horenstein, told CBS News Miami that the allegations are false and that Ross is innocent.
Billboard has reached out to Rick Ross’ attorney and reps, as well as the Miami Beach Police Department, for further comment.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic violence, reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline for 24/7 free, confidential support.
What this adds
The arrest comes just days after Ross' ex, Jazzma Kendrick, appeared to publicly accuse the rapper of domestic violence on social media.
What's confirmed
- Rick Ross (born William Roberts) was arrested in Miami Beach on Thursday morning (Oct. 1) on a pair of battery charges, including battery by strangulation charge, according to Miami-Dade County jail records.
- Ross was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center at 6:10 a.m.
- The 50-year-old rapper faces one felony count of battery by strangulation and one misdemeanor count of battery.
What's still developing
- The charges come just days after Ross’ ex, Jazzma Kendrick, appeared to publicly accuse the rapper of domestic violence.
- The arrest affidavit says Ross and the alleged victim had been in a relationship for about a year and were living together at the time of the alleged incident.
- According to People.com, Kendrick alleged on social media that Ross injured her lip during an incident she said happened about a month earlier.
- “We just ask that you allow the process to play out before rushing to judgment, because the truth will come in.” (A rep for Ross did not respond to Rolling Stone ’s request for comment.) We want to hear it.