BREAKING: Rick Ross Arrested in Miami for Battery by Strangulation

**Rick Ross Arrested on Domestic Violence Charges in Miami**

Rapper Rick Ross was arrested Thursday morning in Miami Beach on domestic violence charges, including a felony count of battery by strangulation and a misdemeanor battery charge. The 50-year-old artist, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts II, voluntarily surrendered to Miami Beach police and was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center around 6:10 a.m.

The charges stem from an alleged incident on August 28 at Ross’s Star Island residence. According to the arrest affidavit, his then-girlfriend told police that Ross woke her up “enraged” after she was tagged in an Instagram photo. He allegedly slapped her in the face, struck her multiple times on the chest, and choked her by twisting the collar of her hooded sweatshirt until she could not breathe.

The woman further claimed that Ross grabbed her by the ponytail, slammed her against a wall, and struck her in the face, causing her lip to bleed. He then allegedly pushed her to the floor and attempted to spray her with a shower head before she was able to escape the home. The alleged victim reported the incident to police on September 29 and provided photos of her injuries.

Ross appeared in court later Thursday and entered a not guilty plea through his attorney. A judge set his bond at $5,000 and ordered him to stay away from the accuser. He was released later in the day.

Outside the jail, Ross told reporters he is “totally innocent of these fabricated allegations.” His legal team released a statement asserting that the claims are false, noting that the police report was filed nearly a month after the alleged incident, and asked the public not to prejudge the case.

The arrest comes days after model and content creator Jazzma Kendrick, who has been linked to Ross, publicly accused him of physical abuse on social media. It remains unclear whether she is the same woman identified only as “JK” in the charging documents. Ross is scheduled to be arraigned on October 22.