Rapper Rick Ross was arrested in Miami Beach on Thursday, October 1, on domestic violence related charges, according to Miami Dade jail and court records.
Ross, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts, was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center at approximately 6:10 a.m.
The 50 year old rapper faces one felony count of battery by strangulation and one misdemeanor battery charge. Both are listed in court records as involving domestic violence.
The arrest immediately attracted widespread attention because Ross has been one of the most recognizable figures in American hip hop for roughly two decades.
What is Rick Ross accused of?
According to an arrest affidavit reported by local media, the charges stem from an alleged incident on August 28 at Ross's residence in Miami's Star Island community.
The alleged victim told investigators that she and Ross had been in a relationship for approximately one year and were living together at the time.
According to the affidavit, the confrontation allegedly began after Ross became angry about a photograph in which the woman had been tagged on Instagram.
The woman alleged that Ross slapped her and later struck her several times in the chest.
She also alleged that Ross restricted her breathing by grabbing and twisting the collar of the hoodie she was wearing.
These allegations have not been proven in court.
Police report describes further allegations
According to the affidavit cited by local media, the woman also alleged that Ross grabbed her by her ponytail and pushed her against a wall.
She told investigators that he struck her in the face, causing an injury to her lip.
The affidavit further alleges that Ross pushed her to the floor before turning on a shower and attempting to spray her with the shower head.
The woman eventually left the residence, according to the police account.
Investigators said she later provided a sworn statement and timestamped photographs documenting injuries.
Police also reviewed surveillance footage from the residence as part of their investigation, according to the affidavit.
Ross faces two charges
Miami Dade court and jail records list two charges against Ross.
One is felony battery by strangulation.
The second is misdemeanor battery.
Both are identified as domestic violence related charges.
Bond was initially listed at $5,000 for the strangulation charge and $1,000 for the battery charge, for a combined $6,000.
Court records also show that Ross has entered a written plea of not guilty.
Rick Ross denies the allegations
Ross disputes the accusations.
His attorney has publicly denied the allegations and urged people not to reach conclusions before the case proceeds through court.
Attorney Bradley Horenstein told local media that the allegations were false and that Ross was innocent.
Another statement attributed to Ross's legal team said the rapper had been wrongfully accused and emphasized that he had pleaded not guilty.
The defense also questioned the timing of the police report and said the judicial process should be allowed to run its course.
No determination of guilt has been made.
A stay away order was issued
Ross appeared virtually during a bond court hearing on Thursday.
A judge issued a stay away order involving the alleged victim, according to reporting on the court proceedings.
The order requires Ross to avoid direct or indirect contact with the woman and to stay away from her home and workplace.
His arraignment is scheduled for October 22, according to court records.
The case is still developing and additional details could emerge as prosecutors and Ross's attorneys make further court filings.
Arrest follows public allegations
The arrest came days after Ross's former girlfriend Jazzma Kendrick publicly accused him of physical abuse.
Kendrick posted allegations on social media and shared an image showing an injury to her lip.
However, early reports cautioned that it was initially unclear whether those public accusations were connected to the charges filed Thursday.
Subsequent reporting based on the arrest affidavit provided more detail about the alleged August 28 incident.
Ross's defense disputes the accusations.
Who is Rick Ross?
Rick Ross has been a major figure in American hip hop since breaking into the mainstream during the 2000s.
Born William Leonard Roberts, he became widely known following the success of his 2006 single "Hustlin'."
He later founded Maybach Music Group and has worked with numerous major artists across the music industry.
Ross has released multiple commercially successful albums and has expanded his public profile into business ventures, books and other projects.
His prominence in American music has helped turn Thursday's arrest into a major entertainment news story.
AP withdrew an early version of its report
One detail is particularly important as the story develops.
The Associated Press withdrew an earlier version of its report about the arrest because information concerning an unrelated previous arrest and plea could have been inaccurate.
AP said it would publish a corrected version.
The withdrawal concerned historical background information rather than the basic fact that Ross was arrested Thursday.
Current Miami Dade jail and court records, along with reporting from CBS Miami, ABC News and NBC South Florida, confirm the new arrest and charges.
What happens next?
The criminal case now moves into the Florida court system.
Ross is scheduled to be arraigned on October 22.
Prosecutors will have to establish the allegations with evidence, while Ross and his attorneys will have the opportunity to challenge the state's case.
For now, the charges remain allegations.
Ross has pleaded not guilty, his attorney says he is innocent, and no court has determined that he committed the alleged acts.
With the police affidavit now receiving national attention and further court proceedings approaching, the case is likely to remain closely watched across both entertainment and US news coverage.
