American rapper Rick Ross, whose legal name is William Roberts II, was apprehended in Miami Beach and accused of battery in connection with an alleged domestic violence incident, as confirmed by local authorities to The Associated Press. The charges against Ross include one felony count of battery by strangulation and one misdemeanor battery charge. He was subsequently released on a cash bond. An unnamed woman reported to local detectives that Ross had accused her of infidelity on August 28, leading to physical assault where she was repeatedly struck and choked with her shirt collar before being forcefully pushed into a wall. The report was lodged on Tuesday, and Ross turned himself in at the local police station on Thursday morning. Despite the allegations, Ross vehemently asserts his innocence in an Instagram story posted from a car on Thursday.
Ross’ legal representatives have issued a statement to CBC News maintaining his innocence and confirming his plea of not guilty to the charges. They urge his supporters and the public to refrain from making premature judgments and allow the legal process to unfold. Ross, a prominent Miami-based rapper since the 2000s, gained fame with his debut single “Hustlin'” in 2006 and later signed with Jay Z’s Def Jam Records. His first album, “Port of Miami,” debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 chart, leading to the establishment of his own label, Maybach Music Group, where he signed notable artists like Meek Mill and French Montana. An arraignment for the case is set for October 22. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or at risk due to intimate partner violence, please seek assistance through crisis lines and local support services.