American rapper Rick Ross was arrested in Miami Beach, Florida, on Thursday, October 1, 2026, and charged with two counts of battery in a case classified as involving domestic violence, according to court records and published reports.
The rapper, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts, 50, faces one felony count of battery by strangulation and one misdemeanor count of battery.
Records cited by CBS News Miami indicate that Ross was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center at 6:10 a.m. local time.
The charges relate to allegations of domestic violence. Authorities had not publicly detailed the circumstances of the alleged incident in the initial reports.
Defence Rejects Allegations
Ross’s legal team has denied the allegations and urged the public not to reach conclusions before the case is heard in court.
Defence attorney Steve Sadow said Ross had pleaded not guilty and maintained that the rapper was being wrongfully accused. His legal team asked that the judicial process be allowed to proceed.
The case remains a legal matter, and the charges do not establish guilt. Ross is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty through the judicial process.
An arraignment was scheduled for October 22, 2026, according to the court information cited in reports.
A Prominent Figure in Hip-Hop
Ross rose to prominence with his 2006 single “Hustlin’” and debut album Port of Miami. He later founded Maybach Music Group, a record label associated with artists including Meek Mill, Wale and French Montana.
The arrest has attracted attention because of his profile in the American music industry. Further developments will depend on court proceedings and any additional information released by law enforcement or the parties involved.