Entertainment

Rap Superstar Rick Ross Turns Himself Into Miami-Dade Jail On Battery Charges This Morning, Later Released: Ross Posts Video Post-Release, Proclaims Innocence Against “Fabricated Allegations”

By Staff Report / October 1, 2026

Multi-platinum rap artist and entrepreneur Rick Ross was arrested by Miami Beach police early Thursday morning on felony domestic violence charges, according to Miami-Dade County jail records.

The 50-year-old artist, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts II, was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on October 1, 2026. Records show he faces counts of battery and felony battery by strangulation.

Bail was set at $6,000 and Ross was released from custody earlier today.

Rick ross mugshot 745x488
Rick Ross Miami-Dade Mugshot

TMZ reports the rap superstar has been accused by a former girlfriend of an alleged violent assault that the victim says took place in late August at a Miami residence the two shared.

The arrest comes amidst what had been a celebratory year for the Hip-Hop mogul. Ross recently launched a nationwide 20th-anniversary concert tour to mark his landmark 2006 debut album, Port of Miami, which first propelled him to international stardom with the hit single “Hustlin’.”

In July, Ross released his 12th studio album, Set in Stone, alongside his latest motivational book, Renaissance of a Boss: Notes from a Creative Reawakening. Known widely as the founder of Maybach Music Group and a major franchise investor—most notably owning dozens of Wingstop locations—Ross has been a prominent fixture in both the music industry and South Florida’s business community for two decades.

Ross also maintains a sprawling Fayetteville, Georgia mansion that straddles three counties. Formerly the home of Atlanta native and boxing legend Evander Holyfield, Ross hosts the popular annual Rick Ross Car & Bike Show at the mansion each summer.

Early this morning after Ross surrendered to law enforcement, his attorney issued the following statement to TMZ:

6:52 AM PT — Rick Ross’ lawyers Steve Sadow and Bradley Horenstein tell TMZ … “William Roberts II, professionally known as Rick Ross, is being wrongfully accused by an ex-girlfriend whose true motivations are unclear. 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.”

—TMZ

The judge who oversaw his initial hearing this morning claimed she was unaware of who Rick Ross is but wasn’t impressed when Ross’s attorney requested an “expedited” release for Ross due to his fame, which the attorney implied might put Ross at risk of danger while in custody.

“Mr. Roberts is a celebrity”, Ross’s attorney began.

“And what does that mean?”, Judge Mindy Glazer quickly asked.

“I don’t know with whatever degree Your Honor can, but I’d ask that his release be expedited, he’s in a red jump suit, and for purposes of his safety…I don’t know what Your Honor could do…”

The judge wasn’t moved.

“I don’t know…Hi, Mr. Roberts, I have no idea who you are, except as somebody here in the court who’s gonna be treated fairly just like everybody else here”, she said.

Ross was released this morning subsequent to the hearing.

Ross later posted a video on social media immediately after he was released, and proclaimed that he is “totally innocent” of the “fabricated allegations” made against him. He also expressed confidence in his team and said he expects the allegations to be “laid to rest”.

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