American rapper Rick Ross, whose real name is William Roberts II, found himself in legal trouble after being arrested in Miami Beach on charges of battery related to an alleged domestic violence incident, as confirmed by local authorities to The Associated Press. The charges against Ross include one felony count of battery by strangulation and one misdemeanor battery charge. Following his arrest, Ross was released from jail after posting a cash bond, as per online court records.
According to reports, an unnamed woman informed local detectives that she was residing with Ross when, on August 28, he accused her of infidelity and physically assaulted her. The woman claimed that Ross struck her multiple times, choked her with her shirt collar, and forcefully pushed her against a wall. The incident was reported on Tuesday, leading to Ross surrendering himself at a local police station on Thursday morning.
In response to the allegations, Ross took to Instagram to proclaim his innocence, dismissing the accusations as “fabricated.” Legal representatives for Ross reiterated his innocence in a statement to CBC News, asserting that he has pleaded not guilty to both charges and urging the public to withhold judgment and let the legal process unfold.
Having risen to fame as a prominent rapper based in Miami during the 2000s, Ross gained recognition with his debut single “Hustlin'” in 2006 and went on to sign with Jay Z’s label, Def Jam Records. His inaugural album, “Port of Miami,” made a notable debut at the top of the Billboard 200 chart. In 2008, Ross established his own label, Maybach Music Group, where he signed artists such as Meek Mill and French Montana.
An arraignment for the case is slated for October 22. If you are in immediate danger or experiencing family or intimate partner violence, seek help through crisis lines and local support services.