Rick Ross arrested on domestic battery charges, released on $5,000 bond
Rapper Rick Ross was arrested and booked in Miami Beach on Oct. 1 on two domestic battery charges, including battery by strangulation.
Police records identify him under his legal name, William Leonard Roberts, aged 50, NBC Miami. He was arraigned remotely within hours while still in custody, Billboard reported.
The hearing produced a blunt exchange. Defence attorney Bradley Horenstein asked Judge Mindy Glazer to expedite his client's release because of his celebrity status, noting Ross was appearing in a red jumpsuit. Glazer declined to treat him differently. She told Ross she had no idea who he was, except as someone in court to be treated fairly like everybody else.
Bond was set at $4,000 on the battery by strangulation charge and $1,000 on the misdemeanour battery charge, for a total of $5,000, CBS News Miami. Bond is money lodged with the court to secure release ahead of trial.
Ross has since been released. Attorneys Bradley Horenstein and Steve Sadow confirmed he has posted bond.
The attorneys said Ross has pleaded not guilty. In a statement, they said he is innocent and was wrongfully accused by an ex-girlfriend. They said the alleged incident took place on Aug. 28, 2026 and was not reported to police until Sept. 29.
Days before the charges, Jazzma Kendrick, identified as Ross's ex, publicly accused him of domestic violence and posted photos to her Instagram Story. The photos have not been independently verified, and the accusation remains an allegation. Charges are accusations. They are not findings of guilt.
A further arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 22, according to an Associated Press report carried by Bay News 9. No further details of the case have been released.
