Rick Ross has declared himself “totally innocent” after posting bond and walking out of a Miami-Dade jail following his arrest on domestic violence charges in Miami Beach.
The rapper, whose real name is William Leonard Roberts II, surrendered to Miami Beach police on Thursday, October 1, and was booked at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. He faces one felony count of battery by strangulation and one misdemeanor battery charge, both involving domestic violence.
Ross appeared before Miami-Dade Judge Mindy Glazer for a bond hearing, where his bond was set at $5,000. He was subsequently released and ordered to stay away from the alleged victim. His arraignment is scheduled for October 22.
Speaking to reporters after leaving jail, Ross strongly denied the allegations.
“I’m totally innocent of these fabricated allegations made against me,” he said.
Ross then turned to his plans for the days ahead, telling reporters that he intended to travel to Dubai on Friday and Paris on Saturday before joking about his plans for Sunday.
“I plan on having a bowl of rigatoni with heavy marinara Sunday,” Ross said. “I repeat, heavy marinara.”
The charges stem from an alleged incident at Ross’s Star Island home on August 28. According to the arrest report, a woman told police that Ross struck her during an argument and restricted her breathing. Police said she later provided photographs of injuries and that investigators obtained surveillance footage as part of the investigation.
Ross has pleaded not guilty. His attorney has also maintained that the allegations are false and asked that the legal process be allowed to play out before any conclusions are reached.
The case follows public allegations made recently by Ross’s former girlfriend, Jazzma Kendrick, who posted claims of physical abuse and photographs of injuries on social media. Reporting has noted that it has not been independently established whether Kendrick is the same woman identified in the police affidavit.
For now, Ross maintains that the accusations are fabricated, while the criminal case remains pending. The allegations against him have not been proven in court.
His next major legal date is October 22, when he is scheduled to appear for arraignment.
