American rapper William Roberts, popularly known as Rick Ross, has been arrested in Miami Beach, Florida, over allegations of assault involving his former girlfriend, model and content creator Jazzma Kendrick.
According to court records, the rapper faces a felony charge of battery by strangulation and a misdemeanour battery charge.
The arrest followed allegations made publicly by Kendrick, who accused Ross of physically assaulting her during their relationship.
Kendrick shared a series of Instagram stories on September 26, including photographs showing an injury to her lip, which she alleged was caused by the rapper during an incident.
“The day Rick busted my lip and the day I left,” she wrote alongside the photographs.
She also urged women in abusive relationships to leave, saying: “If a man hits you one time, he will do it again.”
“Don’t give him the opportunity, value your life and leave,” she added.
According to the court documents, the alleged incident occurred on August 28, while Kendrick reported the matter to police on September 29.
She alleged that Ross slapped her several times, struck her in the chest and pulled her hair before pushing her against a wall and hitting her in the face.
Kendrick told police that the alleged assault resulted in an injury to her lip and provided photographs of the injuries as part of her report.
Ross was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Centre on Thursday, according to Miami-Dade County jail records.
His bond was set at $6,000, and he was subsequently released on bail pending his arraignment, which is scheduled for October 22.
Ross denies allegations
Ross’s lawyer, Steve Sadow, rejected the allegations and questioned Kendrick’s motives, particularly because the police report was filed about a month after the alleged incident.
“Mr. Roberts is innocent and has pled not guilty to the charges. He respectfully requests that his friends, fans and the general public not prejudge the situation and allow the judicial process to run its course,” Sadow said.
The allegations against Ross remain subject to the court process, and no determination of guilt has been made.
Rick Ross rose to prominence with his 2006 hit single “Hustlin’” and went on to become one of the prominent figures in American hip-hop.
He is also the founder of Maybach Music Group and has released several successful albums throughout his career.
Source: NAN.
