Rapper Rick Ross turned himself in to authorities on October 1 and was arrested on domestic violence charges, in the latest legal crisis for the 50-year-old hip-hop star. The entertainer, whose legal name is William Roberts II, is facing one felony count of battery by strangulation and one misdemeanor count of battery. Online records linked both charges to domestic violence. He pleaded not guilty to both counts.
According to TMZ's reporting, the case stems from allegations by an ex-girlfriend over an incident said to have occurred in August 2026. The woman went to police claiming Ross woke her in a jealous rage over a photo she had been tagged in on social media. She alleged the encounter turned physical: the woman claimed Ross struck her in the chest several times, choked her to the point where she could not breathe, grabbed her by the ponytail, and slammed her against a wall.
Ross's attorneys, Steve Sadow and Bradley Horenstein, released a statement rejecting the allegations. "William Roberts II, professionally known as Rick Ross, is being wrongfully accused by an ex-girlfriend whose true motivations are unclear," the statement said. "The ex did not even file a police report until a month after the claimed incident allegedly took place. 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."
The arrest adds to a complicated legal history for the Maybach Music Group founder. Ross, one of the defining rap figures of the late 2000s and 2010s with hits including "Hustlin'" and "B.M.F.," has faced prior arrests over the years, though the strangulation felony marks one of the most serious charges of his career. The case arrives as the music industry continues to grapple with how allegations of intimate-partner violence are handled publicly, with several high-profile artists facing similar proceedings in recent years.
Legal experts note that felony battery by strangulation charges carry significant potential prison time in many jurisdictions, though no trial date has been set and the case is in its early stages. Prosecutors will now weigh the evidence, including the timing of the police report - a point Ross's defense has already flagged as central to their strategy.
For Ross's fans and business partners, the arrest raises questions about upcoming projects and performances. Neither his label nor his management has issued a separate statement beyond the attorneys' denial. As with all criminal cases, the presumption of innocence applies, and the judicial process will determine whether the allegations lead to a trial or are resolved beforehand. The case is expected to remain in the headlines as court proceedings advance in the coming months.