American rapper Rick Ross has been arrested on battery charges following allegations of physical abuse made by his ex-girlfriend, Jazzma Kendrick.
According to court records and reports from U.S. media outlets, Ross, whose real name is William Roberts II, reportedly surrendered to police in Miami-Dade County after Kendrick contacted authorities over an alleged incident at the home they shared on August 28.
The arrest comes days after Kendrick publicly announced her split from Ross and accused him of domestic violence in a post shared online.
Kendrick reportedly told police that Ross confronted her over a social media photo and accused her of lying about being involved with another man.
She alleged that the rapper slapped her in the face, struck her in the chest several times and choked her until she struggled to breathe. She also accused him of grabbing her by her ponytail and slamming her against a wall.
Kendrick reportedly provided police with photographs of injuries she claimed resulted from the alleged incident.
Ross was arrested on charges of felony battery by strangulation and misdemeanor battery, both classified as domestic violence-related. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is being held on a combined $6,000 bond. His arraignment is scheduled for October 22.
His lawyers, Steve Sadow and Bradley Horenstein, have denied the allegations and maintained that Ross was wrongfully accused.
They also pointed to the timing of Kendrick’s complaint, noting that she reportedly contacted police about a month after the alleged incident. The lawyers urged the public not to prejudge Ross as the case proceeds through the judicial system.