American rapper William Leonard Roberts II, famously known as Rick Ross, has been arrested in Miami Beach after a woman accused him of repeatedly hitting her and restricting her breathing during an alleged domestic violence incident at his Star Island mansion.
Ross voluntarily surrendered to Miami Beach police detectives on Thursday before being taken into custody, authorities said. He 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, with both charges listed as involving domestic violence. His arraignment is scheduled for October 22.
What the woman told police
According to the arrest affidavit, Ross and the woman had been in a relationship for about a year and were living together at the time of the alleged incident.
The woman told investigators that on August 28, she was awakened at about 7:44 a.m. by Ross, who was allegedly upset after she was tagged in a photo on Instagram.
According to the affidavit, Ross questioned her about whether she was being truthful and allegedly slapped her in the face.
Later that morning, the woman said Ross accused her of being involved with another person while she was in a bathroom.
She told investigators that he allegedly struck her in the chest several times before restricting her breathing by grabbing and twisting the collar of the hoodie she was wearing.
The affidavit further alleges that Ross grabbed the woman by her ponytail and slammed her against a wall before striking her in the face, leaving her with a busted lip.
Further, she alleged that Ross pushed her to the floor, turned on the shower, and attempted to spray her with the showerhead.
The woman eventually managed to leave the bathroom, according to the affidavit. She later gathered her belongings and left the Star Island residence after Ross had departed.
Police investigate allegations
The woman later provided investigators with a sworn statement and timestamped photographs that police said showed her injuries.
Detectives also reviewed surveillance footage from the residence. According to the affidavit, the footage showed a friend arriving at the property to pick up the woman but being turned away.
Police said Ross later posted a photo on Instagram showing the friend arriving at the residence.
The alleged incident was reported to police on September 29, according to the arrest documents.
Rick Ross’ attorney denies allegations
Ross’ attorney, Bradley Horenstein, has denied the allegations against the rapper and urged the public not to rush to judgment while the case moves through the legal system.
All I can say is that the allegations are false. He’s innocent. Everything is going to come out, Horenstein told CBS News Miami.
He added that Ross’ legal team wanted the process to play out before people reached conclusions about the case.
We just ask that you allow the process to play out before rushing to judgment, because the truth will come in.
Ross appeared by Zoom in Miami-Dade bond court Thursday morning, where a judge reviewed the arrest report and found probable cause.
The court set bond at $5,000 for the felony battery-by-strangulation charge and $1,000 for the misdemeanor battery charge, for a total of $6,000, according to CBS Miami. Ross subsequently bonded out.
Court imposes restrictions on Rick Ross
The judge also issued a stay-away order involving the alleged victim.
Ross was ordered to have no direct or indirect contact with her, including through third parties, social media, or other electronic communication.
He was also ordered to stay away from her home, workplace, and school.
The court further ordered Ross to surrender firearms and concealed weapons and prohibited him from possessing firearms while the case is pending.
The rapper was also ordered not to engage in criminal activity or use illegal drugs.
Ross, a Miami-area native and founder of Maybach Music Group, has been a prominent figure in hip-hop for more than two decades. He is known for hits including “Hustlin’.”
