Hip-hop star Rick Ross was arrested in Miami Beach on a felony battery by strangulation charge, according to jail and court records.
Ross, whose real name is William Leonard Roberts, was booked at 6:10 a.m. Thursday. He was transported to Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in West Miami-Dade.
The 50-year-old rapper faces one felony count of battery by strangulation. He also faces a misdemeanor battery charge. Both offenses are classified as domestic violence matters.
A court set Ross’ total bond at $6,000. The felony charge carries a $5,000 bond, while the misdemeanor charge carries $1,000.
Ross has retained Miami attorney Bradley Horenstein, according to court records. His arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 22.
Authorities have not disclosed the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident. Court records also do not identify the alleged victim.
Rapper Rick Ross Arrested In Miami Beach On Felony Battery Charges After Jazzma Kendrick Accused The Hip-Hop Star Of Domestic Violence
The arrest follows public allegations from Ross’ former girlfriend, Jazzma Kendrick. She accused the rapper of physical abuse in Instagram Stories posted days before his arrest.
Kendrick shared photographs showing an injured lip. She attributed the injury to an alleged encounter with Ross.
“The day Rick busted my lip and the day I left,” Kendrick wrote in one caption.
She also wrote, “He saw a punching bag,” while discussing the alleged incident. Kendrick later said she was doing well and encouraged people facing abuse to leave unsafe relationships.
It remains unclear whether Kendrick’s allegations are connected to Ross’ criminal case. Authorities have not publicly linked her allegations to the arrest.
Ross has not publicly addressed Kendrick’s accusations. He also has not issued a statement regarding his arrest.
The criminal case adds another legal matter for Ross, the founder of Maybach Music Group and a prominent figure in hip-hop.
The Miami-area native built his career through music and entrepreneurship. His catalog includes “Hustlin’,” his 2006 breakout single.
Ross remains subject to the pending charges. His next scheduled court appearance is the Oct. 22 arraignment.
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