Rapper Rick Ross, known legally as William Leonard Roberts, was taken into custody in Miami, Florida, on Thursday morning to face charges related to domestic violence. Authorities confirmed the artist was processed at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center at 6:10 a.m. His bail has been set at $5,000, covering one count of battery by strangulation and one count of battery. According to information provided by the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department, thursday morning.
These legal developments follow public accusations made by the 50-year-old performer’s former partner, Jazzma Kendrick. On September 26, the 39-year-old model and content creator shared images on her Instagram stories depicting an injury to her lip. Alongside the photos, she stated, “I don’t know a lot of things, but I do know that a man that puts his hands on me, is a man that never loved me and never will,” later adding, “The day Rick busted my lip and the day I left.” Kendrick has not provided further comment regarding the situation. Kendrick did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Legal counsel for the rapper, Steve Sadow, issued a formal response maintaining that the charges are baseless. Sadow asserted that the rapper “is being wrongfully accused by an ex-girlfriend whose true motivations are unclear.” He further noted that the police report was not filed until a month after the alleged event. “Mr. Roberts is innocent and has pled not guilty to the charges,” Sadow said, while requesting that the public avoid prejudging the case and allow the legal process to proceed. Mr. Roberts is innocent and has pled not guilty to the charges,” the statement read. “He respectfully requests that his friends, fans and the general public not prejudge the situation and allow the judicial process to run its course.”.
The artist, who resides in a Miami Beach mansion and owns an Atlanta estate known as “The Promise Land,” has faced similar legal scrutiny in the past. In 2015, he was charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault, and aggravated battery regarding an incident involving a groundskeeper at his Georgia property. That case concluded when he entered a no-contest plea to a single felony count of aggravated assault, resulting in a $10,000 fine and credit for one week of time served in jail.
Best known for his musical career, including hits like “Hustlin’” and his leadership of the Maybach Music Group, Ross is currently scheduled for an arraignment on October 22 regarding the new Miami charges.
