Rapper Rick Ross was arrested by Miami Beach police early Thursday on domestic violence charges including felony strangulation, according to Miami-Dade jail and court records.
Ross, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts, was transported to Turner-Guilford Knight Correctional Center at 6:10 a.m. Thursday.
The 50-year-old rapper faces one felony count of battery and one misdemeanor count of battery. Both charges were listed as involving domestic violence.
Ross’ attorney, Bradley Horenstein, has denied the accusations against his client and urged the public not to rush to judgment as the case proceeds through the legal process.
“All I can say is these accusations are false. He is innocent. Everything will come out,” Horenstein told CBS News Miami. “We’re just asking that you let this process play out before rushing to judgment because the truth will come out.”
Ross appeared in Miami-Dade County Bail Court via Zoom Thursday morning, where Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer said she had reviewed the arrest report and found probable cause in the case.
Glazer told the court the alleged incident occurred on Aug. 28 and described the case as a delay in reporting.
During the hearing, Horenstein noted Ross’s celebrity status and asked for his client’s release to be expedited. The judge set Ross’ bail at $4,000 for the strangulation charge and $1,000 for the misdemeanor battery charge, for a total of $5,000.
Glazer also issued a stay-away order involving the victim, who was identified in court by her initials. Ross was ordered to have no direct or indirect contact with the alleged victim, including through third parties, social media or other electronic means, and to stay away from the victim’s home, workplace or school.
Ross was also ordered to surrender all firearms and concealed weapons and is prohibited from possessing firearms. The judge also ordered him not to engage in criminal activity or use illegal drugs while the case is pending.
His arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 22.
Ross’ ex-girlfriend Jazzma Kendrick was arrested days after she publicly accused him of physically abusing her. According to People.com, Kendrick claimed on social media that Rose injured her lip during an incident about a month ago. Rose has yet to respond publicly to the accusations.
Rose, a Miami-area native known for songs like “Hustlin’,” has been a prominent figure in the hip-hop scene for two decades.