Rapper and music executive Rick Ross was arrested by Miami Beach police early Thursday on domestic violence charges, which include a felony count of battery by strangulation. The 50-year-old artist, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts, was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center at 6:10 a.m.
According to Miami-Dade jail and court records, the total bond for Roberts was set at $6,000, broken down into $5,000 for the felony battery by strangulation charge and $1,000 for a misdemeanor battery count. The arrest report details that the charges stem from an alleged incident on August 28 at a residence on Star Island, where he reportedly choked his girlfriend of a year by her hoodie collar until she could not breathe, and subsequently struck her chest and face.
Legal Representation and Court Schedule
Following his voluntary surrender, Roberts retained private attorney Bradley Horenstein to represent him in the ongoing legal proceedings. Court documents indicate that a formal arraignment was scheduled for October 22, where the defense requested a jury trial.
The arrest follows public social media allegations made by his former girlfriend, Jazzma Kendrick, who accused the artist of physical abuse days prior to the police action. Authorities noted that the official arrest affidavit provides further context into the domestic dispute reported to law enforcement on September 29.
History of Legal Challenges
This case adds to a documented history of legal difficulties for the hip-hop mogul over his career. Previous incidents include a 2015 arrest in Fayette County, Georgia, on kidnapping and aggravated assault charges, alongside several past misdemeanor arrests relating to marijuana possession and traffic violations in various jurisdictions.
As the legal process moves forward, further developments are expected ahead of the October 22 arraignment date. Defense counsel and state prosecutors will present their initial arguments as the court evaluates the domestic violence allegations.
