Rick Ross charged with battery after alleged attack on girlfriend

Rapper Rick Ross was arrested Thursday and is accused of beating his girlfriend at her Miami Beach home, authorities said.

Ross, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts II, was charged with battery by strangulation and misdemeanor battery in connection with a domestic violence incident at his home on exclusive Star Island in Miami Beach, according to a statement and affidavit from the Miami Beach Police Department.

Police said the accuser reported that Ross, 50, punched her multiple times during an altercation on Aug. 28 and restricted her breathing by twisting the collar of her hoodie.

The woman, who police have not named, reported the alleged incident to police on Tuesday. Ross turned himself in Thursday morning. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Ross’s attorneys, Steve Sadow and Bradley Horenstein, said Ross “is being falsely accused by an ex-girlfriend whose true motives are unclear.”

“Mr. Roberts is innocent and has pleaded not guilty to the charges,” they said in a statement Thursday. “He respectfully asks his friends, fans and the general public not to prejudge the situation and to allow the legal process to take its course.”

The woman provided detectives with an affidavit and photographs documenting her injuries, police said. A criminal affidavit identifies the woman as Ross’ girlfriend at the time of the incident.

On the morning of Aug. 28, Ross was “enraged” that his girlfriend was tagged in an Instagram photo, accused her of lying to him and allegedly slapped her in the face, the affidavit states.

Later that morning, according to the police file, Ross accused her of having a romantic relationship with someone she said she was “just friends” with.

The woman told police Ross then punched her in the chest multiple times and choked her “to the point she couldn’t breathe by grabbing the collar of the hoodie she was wearing and twisting it,” the affidavit states.

Ross then grabbed her by her ponytail and slammed her against a wall, the affidavit states.

She told police she escaped the residence, returned and waited for Ross to leave before retrieving her belongings, according to the affidavit. The two dated for about a year and were living together at the Star Island home at the time of the incident, the affidavit states.

Ross is best known for his 2006 single “Hustlin'”, as well as “Aston Martin Music” and “Stay Schemin”. He has received nine Grammy Award nominations.

The rapper’s bond was set at $5,000 for the battery by strangulation charge and $1,000 for the battery charge, according to online jail records.

“I am completely innocent of the fabricated allegations against me,” Ross said as he left the prison. “I repeat: I am completely innocent of the fabricated allegations against me.”

Ross said he would travel to Dubai on Friday and Paris on Saturday.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline for help at (800) 799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org to find out more. States also often have domestic violence hotlines.