Rapper Rick Ross Arrested on Domestic Violence, Battery Charges

Rapper Rick Ross, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts II, voluntarily surrendered to Miami Beach police early Thursday morning and was arrested on charges of felony battery by strangulation and misdemeanor battery.

The charges stem from a domestic violence incident reported on September 29, allegedly occurring on August 28 at a residence on Star Island. 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. According to the arrest affidavit, the accuser and Ross had been in a relationship for about a year and lived together.

The woman told police Ross accused her of lying and slapped her, then later accused her of being involved with another man. She alleged Ross struck her in the chest several times, choked her by twisting her hoodie collar, grabbed her by her ponytail, slammed her against a wall, and struck her face, causing a busted lip.

Ross, 50, pleaded not guilty in court, where his bond was set at $5,000, with orders to stay away from the accuser. His arraignment is scheduled for October 22. Ross's attorney, Bradley Horenstein, stated the allegations are false and that Ross is innocent.