Rick Ross Faces Battery, Strangulation Charges After Alleged Domestic Incident

American rapper Rick Ross has been arrested in Miami Beach, Florida, after a woman accused him of physically assaulting her and restricting her breathing during an alleged domestic violence incident at his Star Island home.

Ross, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts II, voluntarily surrendered to Miami Beach police on Thursday, October 1, and was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center at about 6:10 a.m., according to police and jail records. He faces one felony count of battery by strangulation and one misdemeanor battery charge, both classified as domestic-violence related.

According to the arrest affidavit reported by CBS Miami and NBC 6, the alleged incident occurred on August 28 but was reported to police on September 29. The woman told investigators that she and Ross had been in a relationship for about a year and were living together at the time.

The woman alleged that Ross became angry after she was tagged in an Instagram photograph and accused her of lying and being involved with another man. She told police that he allegedly slapped her, struck her in the chest several times and restricted her breathing by grabbing and twisting the collar of her hoodie.

The affidavit further alleges that Ross grabbed the woman by her ponytail and slammed her against a wall before striking her in the face, causing a busted lip. Police said she subsequently provided investigators with photographs of injuries carrying timestamps corresponding with the alleged incident. Detectives also reviewed surveillance footage connected to the woman’s departure from the residence.

Miami Beach police said investigators obtained a sworn statement, photographs and surveillance material and determined that probable cause existed for the arrest. Ross surrendered voluntarily and did not provide a statement to investigators on the advice of his lawyer.

Ross has denied the allegations. His attorney, Bradley Horenstein, told CBS Miami that the allegations were false and urged the public to allow the legal process to take its course. Ross himself also said he was “totally innocent” of what he described as fabricated allegations.

During a bond hearing on Thursday, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer found probable cause after reviewing the arrest report. She set bond at $5,000, consisting of $4,000 for the strangulation charge and $1,000 for the misdemeanor battery charge. Ross was subsequently released.

The judge also issued a stay-away order prohibiting Ross from contacting the alleged victim directly or indirectly and ordered him to surrender firearms and concealed weapons while the case is pending. His arraignment is scheduled for October 22, 2026.

Ross, 50, has been one of the most prominent figures in American hip-hop for two decades. He rose to prominence with “Hustlin’” and has released numerous successful albums and singles during his career. He also performed at the 2026 BET Awards in June.

The allegations remain unproven in court, and Ross has pleaded not guilty.