MIAMI BEACH, FL. (THECOUNT) — Rick Ross, 50, has been arrested on a felony battery by strangulation charge and misdemeanor battery after his former girlfriend, Jazzma Kendrick, reported an alleged domestic violence incident to police.
Ross, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts II, surrendered to Miami Beach police Thursday morning, October 1, and was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center at about 6:10 a.m., according to jail records.
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The charges stem from an alleged August 28 incident at a home Ross and Kendrick shared, according to law enforcement sources. Kendrick contacted police Tuesday and reported that Ross had allegedly become angry after seeing a photograph in which she was tagged on social media.
Kendrick told police she was sleeping when Ross woke her and questioned her about the photograph and whether she was lying to him. She alleged that he slapped her in the face before accusing her of being involved with another man.
According to the allegations reported to police, Kendrick said Ross struck her in the chest several times when she denied being involved with someone else. She also alleged that he choked her until she could not breathe, grabbed her by her ponytail and slammed her against a wall.
Kendrick reportedly provided police with photographs of injuries she said resulted from the alleged encounter.
Ross voluntarily surrendered to authorities but did not discuss the allegations with police, according to the report. Court records show he has pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Ross is being held on a $5,000 bond for the felony battery by strangulation charge and a $1,000 bond for the misdemeanor battery charge, for a combined $6,000. Both charges are classified as domestic violence matters.
Rick Ross and his girlfriend, Jazzma Kendrick, all loved up on a flight. She’s rubbing and kissing Rozay, holding onto him like she never wants to let go. Bro is about to cry. That man is so in love with her. 😭❤️ pic.twitter.com/aYhAQDh59m
— Toluwase (@Toluwase_x) August 10, 2026
Ross’ attorneys, Steve Sadow and Bradley Horenstein, said their client is being wrongfully accused and urged the public not to prejudge the case.
“William Roberts II, professionally known as Rick Ross, is being wrongfully accused by an ex-girlfriend whose true motivations are unclear,” the attorneys told TMZ. They also pointed out that Kendrick did not file a police report until about a month after the alleged incident.
The attorneys said Ross is innocent and has pleaded not guilty, asking his friends, fans and the public to allow the judicial process to run its course.
Kendrick had also recently posted photographs on social media showing what she described as injuries caused by Ross. In one post, she alleged that Ross injured her lip. It was not initially clear from police records whether those earlier social-media allegations were connected to the charges, although current reporting identifies Kendrick as the former girlfriend who reported the August 28 incident.
Ross’ arraignment is scheduled for October 22. His legal team is seeking his release from custody.
Ross is a longtime hip-hop artist and music executive best known for songs including “Hustlin’” and for founding Maybach Music Group. He has released numerous studio albums during a career spanning more than two decades.
Miami Beach is a coastal city in Miami-Dade County, directly east of Miami and part of the Miami metropolitan area in South Florida.
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