Rapper Rick Ross turned himself in to police in Miami Beach on Thursday, facing felony battery by strangulation and misdemeanor battery charges stemming from an alleged August altercation with his live-in girlfriend at his Star Island mansion.
Grammy-nominated artist Rick Ross surrendered to detectives at Miami Beach Police headquarters early Thursday morning before being booked into custody. The 50-year-old, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts II, was processed at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center at 6:10 a.m. local time on October 1, 2026.
Court records show he faces one felony count of battery by strangulation as well as a misdemeanor count of battery. The arrest follows recent social media allegations of physical abuse made by his former girlfriend, Jazzma Kendrick.
Police Investigate Star Island Assault
The criminal charges stem from an incident reported to law enforcement on September 29. According to the arrest affidavit, the alleged victim told investigators that she and Ross had been in a relationship for about a year and were living together at his Star Island residence.
Police said the rapper questioned her about whether she was lying to him and slapped her in the face every time she denied wrongdoing.
The affidavit details a violent escalation later that morning. Investigators noted she suffered a busted lip and provided photographic evidence alongside a sworn statement. Police also gathered information from surveillance footage at the property.
Authorities examined home security footage that they indicated captured a companion coming to pick her up and being turned away. Per the affidavit, Ross subsequently shared an image on his Instagram profile depicting the friend arriving at the estate.
Judge Issues Stay-Away Order in Bond Court
Ross appeared in Miami-Dade bond court on Thursday morning. Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Mindy S. Glazer responded to the proceedings.
During the hearing, defense attorney Bradley Horenstein noted his client’s celebrity status and asked that his release be expedited while wearing a red jumpsuit for safety. Judge Glazer responded directly from the bench.
“Hi Mr. Roberts. I have no idea who you are, except as somebody here in the court who’s going to be treated fairly, just like everybody here.”
Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Mindy S. Glazer, via WSVN
The judge set Ross’ bond at $4,000 on the felony strangulation charge and $1,000 on the misdemeanor battery charge, for a total of $5,000, though other records reflect a total bond of $6,000.
Glazer also issued a stay-away order protecting the alleged victim, who was identified in court by her initials. Ross’ legal team entered a written plea of not guilty and demanded a jury trial, with an arraignment scheduled for October 22, 2026.
Defense Denies Claims as Instagram Posts Emerge
“All I can say is that the allegations are false. He’s innocent. Everything is going to come out.”
Bradley Horenstein, Defense Attorney, via CBS News Miami
The arrest arrived days after Jazzma Kendrick shared photos of a swollen lip on Instagram Stories, writing, The day Rick busted my lip and the day I left.
She added that He saw a punching bag
and urged others facing domestic abuse to leave relationships. Police have not officially confirmed whether Kendrick is the woman who filed the police report.
In July, Ross released his 12th studio album, Set In Stone, which featured Gucci Mane, The-Dream and Yung Miami. The recording artist from Miami gained widespread recognition in 2006, earning acclaim for revitalizing the city’s hip-hop scene and establishing luxury rap as a genre.
He shares daughters Toie and Berkeley and sons William, Billion and Bliss with three different women.
Anyone affected by domestic violence can reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. Individuals in the UK may contact the national domestic abuse helpline at 0808 2000 247 or go to Women’s Aid.