American rapper Rick Ross has been arrested in Miami, Florida, on domestic violence charges following allegations of physical assault by his former girlfriend, model and content creator Jazzma Kendrick.
The 50-year-old rapper faces one count of battery by strangulation and one count of battery, both connected to domestic violence. His bail was set at $5,000, and he has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The arrest follows public allegations made by Kendrick, 39, who shared photographs of an injured lip on her Instagram Stories on September 26. In one post, she wrote: “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.”
In another post, she shared a photograph with the caption, “The day Rick busted my lip and the day I left.” Her social media posts brought attention to the alleged incident and preceded the rapper’s arrest.
Ross’s attorney, Steve Sadow, rejected the allegations, describing his client as wrongfully accused by a former girlfriend whose motivations were unclear. He also questioned the timing of the complaint, noting that the police report was filed about a month after the alleged incident.
“Mr. Roberts is innocent and has pled not guilty to the charges,” Sadow said in a statement, urging Ross’s friends, fans and the public not to prejudge the case and to allow the judicial process to run its course.
The rapper, a longtime Miami resident with a mansion on Star Island, has faced legal trouble in the past. In 2015, he was charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault and aggravated battery following allegations that he pistol-whipped a groundskeeper at his Atlanta estate.
Ross reportedly reached a plea deal in 2017, pleading no contest to one felony count of aggravated assault. He was sentenced to time served for the week he had spent in jail and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.
Best known for hit songs such as Hustlin’ and for founding Maybach Music Group, Ross has also built a business profile beyond music. His latest arrest has placed renewed attention on his personal life as the domestic violence case moves through the courts.
Rick Ross is scheduled to appear for arraignment on October 22 in Miami. The current charges remain allegations, and the rapper has maintained his innocence as the case proceeds.
