American rapper William Leonard Roberts II, widely known as Rick Ross, has been arrested in Miami Beach, Florida, following allegations that he assaulted a woman and restricted her breathing at his Star Island residence. The 50-year-old rapper was booked at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Centre and faces one felony count of battery by strangulation and one misdemeanor battery charge.
According to the arrest affidavit, the alleged incident happened on August 28 after Ross became upset about the woman being tagged in an Instagram photo. Investigators said the woman accused him of slapping her, striking her several times, pulling her by the hair and restricting her breathing during a confrontation in a bathroom. She reportedly sustained a cut to her lip and later provided police with photographs and a sworn statement. Authorities also reviewed surveillance footage from the property.
Ross has denied the allegations and maintains his innocence. His lawyer, Bradley Horenstein, also rejected the accusations and urged the public to allow the legal process to continue. Ross appeared before Miami-Dade Judge Mindy Glazer by Zoom, where a $5,000 bond was set. He was released after posting bond and ordered to have no contact with the woman, surrender firearms and follow other conditions while the case proceeds. His arraignment is scheduled for October 22.
