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Rapper Rick Ross is charged with misdemeanor in domestic violence case

Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald on

Published in Entertainment News

MIAMI — Prosecutors decided Friday not to file a felony charge against rapper and entrepreneur Rick Ross, who was arrested after allegedly choking a woman he was dating and slamming her against a wall inside his Star Island residence.

Ross, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts, is now charged with misdemeanor domestic violence battery, according to court records. Ross, 50, did not appear in court for his arraignment before Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Cristina Miranda but has pleaded not guilty.

Outside the courtroom, defense attorney Brad Horenstein said he was “thrilled” that prosecutors did not file a felony charge.

Ross was arrested after he surrendered to Miami Beach detectives in connection to an Aug. 28 incident that occurred at his Miami Beach mansion. The victim, who was in a relationship with Ross for a year and lived with him, reported the incident a month later, on Sept. 29.

That day in August, the woman was awakened by Ross, who was enraged by a photo she was tagged in on Instagram, according to Ross’ arrest report. He slapped the woman and accused her of cheating on him, police said.

 

The woman denied the allegations, and Ross hit her in the chest several times and choked her, the report says, restricting her breathing by twisting the collar of her hoodie.

Ross also grabbed the woman by her ponytail and slammed her against the wall, causing injuries to her face and lip, according to the report. Ross also pushed the woman to the floor, turned on the shower and tried to spray her with the shower head.

The woman was able to break free and rushed out of the home, not returning until Ross was gone to gather her belongings, according to the report.

Ross, who grew up in South Florida, is best known for his debut hit “Hustlin’” and songs “B.M.F. (Blowing Money Fast)” and “Aston Martin Music.”


©2026 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

 

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