American rapper Rick Ross has been arrested in Miami Beach, Florida, on domestic violence-related charges, including felony battery by strangulation and misdemeanor battery.
Ross, 50, whose real name is William Leonard Roberts II, surrendered to Miami Beach police on Thursday and was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, according to police and court records.
The charges stem from an alleged August 28 incident at Ross’ Star Island residence. According to the arrest affidavit, a woman told police that Ross repeatedly struck her and restricted her breathing during an argument. She later provided investigators with photographs of injuries, CBS Miami reported.
The arrest came days after Ross’ former girlfriend, Jazzma Kendrick, publicly accused him of physically abusing her and shared photographs of an injured lip on social media. However, authorities have not confirmed that Kendrick is the woman involved in the criminal case.
Ross appeared by Zoom before Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer at a bond hearing. The judge found probable cause and set his bond at $5,000 — $4,000 for the strangulation charge and $1,000 for the misdemeanor battery charge.
His lawyer, Bradley Horenstein, denied the allegations and urged the public not to rush to judgment.
Ross was ordered to stay away from the alleged victim and have no direct or indirect contact with her, including through social media. He was also ordered to surrender firearms and prohibited from possessing guns while the case is pending.
Ross was released on bond later Thursday. His arraignment is scheduled for October 22.
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