Grammy-Nominated Rapper Rick Ross Arrested on Domestic Violence Charges

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Grammy-nominated rapper Rick Ross surrendered to Miami Beach police Thursday morning and was charged with felony battery by strangulation and misdemeanor battery, according to court records.

The charges stem from an incident the alleged victim says occurred a month earlier — on Aug. 28 — when she was living with Ross at his Miami Beach home.

According to the arrest report, the woman told detectives Ross accused her of cheating, struck her multiple times, choked her with the collar of her shirt, and slammed her into a wall. She said she eventually escaped the home, returning later to collect her belongings after Ross left.

The delayed reporting timeline has become a focal point in the case. Victims of domestic violence often face complex emotional and practical barriers when deciding whether to come forward, experts say, including fear of retaliation, financial dependence, or trauma responses that can delay action. In Florida, there is no statute of limitations for filing police reports in felony domestic violence cases, allowing victims to report incidents when they feel safe to do so.

The woman filed a police report on Tuesday — more than a month after the alleged incident. Ross, whose legal name is William Roberts II, turned himself in Thursday morning and was released later that day on a cash bond.

“The ex did not even file a police report until a month after the claimed incident allegedly took place. Mr. Roberts is innocent and has pled not guilty to the charges.”

That’s defense attorney Steve Sadow, who represents the 50-year-old rapper. Sadow said Ross is being wrongfully accused by an ex-girlfriend whose motivations remain unclear.

“He respectfully requests that his friends, fans and the general public not prejudge the situation and allow the judicial process to run its course,” Sadow added.

Sadow is a prominent Atlanta-based criminal defense attorney who has represented numerous high-profile clients in the entertainment industry. His emphasis on the reporting delay reflects a common defense strategy in domestic violence cases, though prosecutors and victim advocates often counter that such delays are typical and should not undermine credibility.

An arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 22. The charges remain allegations. The case has not been proven in court.

Battery by strangulation is classified as a third-degree felony in Florida, carrying potential penalties of up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine if convicted. The charge was elevated to felony status in many states, including Florida, after research showed that non-fatal strangulation is a significant predictor of future lethal violence in domestic abuse situations.

This isn’t Ross’ first brush with allegations of assault. In 2017, he pleaded no contest to aggravated assault after being accused of forcing a man into a guesthouse at his suburban-Atlanta mansion in 2015 and beating him with a handgun. Under Georgia’s first-offender program, the court issued an order exonerating Ross of guilt on that felony count.

The first-offender program allowed Ross to avoid a felony conviction on his record, provided he completed the terms of his sentence successfully. That case involved different circumstances than the current allegations, and the prior incident did not involve domestic violence charges.

Ross gained prominence in 2006 with his debut single “Hustlin’,” which went double platinum and sparked a bidding war among major labels. He signed with Def Jam Records, then headed by Jay-Z.

His debut album, “Port of Miami,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and also went platinum — the first in a series of chart-toppers. Ross has been nominated for nine Grammy Awards over his career.

The Miami native built his brand on larger-than-life persona and luxury imagery, becoming one of hip-hop’s most recognizable figures over nearly two decades. His commercial success and industry influence have made him a fixture in rap music, though he has never won a Grammy despite multiple nominations.

In 2008, he founded the influential label Maybach Music Group, boosting the careers of signees like Wale, Meek Mill, and French Montana. His most recent album, “Set In Stone,” was released in July.

The current legal situation unfolds as Ross continues to maintain an active touring and recording schedule. How the criminal proceedings may affect his professional commitments and business ventures remains to be seen as the case moves through the court system.

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