Rick Ross Arrested on Domestic Violence Charges
The rapper pleaded not guilty to felony battery by strangulation and misdemeanor battery.
Rapper Rick Ross, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts, appeared in court Thursday after his arrest on domestic violence and battery charges. He voluntarily surrendered to Miami Beach police early Thursday and was booked on charges of felony battery by strangulation and misdemeanor battery.
In court, Ross' attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. The judge ordered Ross to stay away from the accuser, who has not been publicly identified, and set his bond at $5,000.
According to police, the charges stem from a domestic violence incident reported on September 29. The alleged incident occurred on August 28 at a residence on Star Island in Miami Beach. The accuser told police that Ross struck her multiple times during an altercation and restricted her breathing by twisting the collar of her hoodie. She provided photo documentation of her injuries.
The arrest affidavit states that the accuser reported she and Ross had been in a relationship for the past year and lived together. She told police that Ross accused her of lying to him.
Ross rose to fame with his 2006 debut studio album "Port of Miami." He later founded his record label, Maybach Music Group, and has received nine Grammy Award nominations.