Rick Ross Arrested After Ex-Girlfriend’s Abuse Allegations

By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi & Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada
October 2, 2026

American rapper and music executive Rick Ross has been arrested in Miami Beach, Florida, after a woman who had been in a relationship with him accused him of physically assaulting her during an alleged domestic dispute in August.

Ross, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts II, surrendered to Miami Beach police on Thursday, October 1, and was booked on charges of felony battery by strangulation and misdemeanor battery, according to police and court records.

The arrest came days after model and content creator Jazzma Kendrick, who has been publicly linked to Ross, shared allegations on social media that the rapper had physically assaulted her.

Kendrick posted photographs showing an injured lip and alleged that Ross was responsible for the injury. Her posts attracted widespread attention and were followed by Ross’s arrest several days later.

However, Ross has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty. His attorneys have described the accusations as false and said he was being wrongfully accused.

The case remains before the courts, meaning the allegations against Ross have not been established as fact.

What allegedly happened?

According to an arrest affidavit reviewed by several news organizations, the alleged incident occurred on August 28, 2026, at a residence on Star Island in Miami Beach.

The woman identified in the affidavit as “J.K.” told investigators that she and Ross had been in a relationship for approximately a year and were living together at the time.

She alleged that Ross woke her at approximately 7:44 a.m. after becoming angry that she had been tagged in an Instagram photograph.

According to the affidavit, Ross allegedly questioned her about the photograph and accused her of lying before allegedly slapping her.

The woman also told police that Ross later accused her of being involved romantically with another man. She denied the allegation, saying the man was only a friend.

The affidavit alleges that Ross struck her in the chest several times while questioning her and later choked her to the point that she said she could not breathe.

She also alleged that Ross grabbed her by her ponytail and slammed her against a wall before striking her in the face.

The woman told investigators that the alleged assault resulted in an injury to her lip. Police records indicate that photographs of the injuries were provided as part of the investigation.

These allegations have not been proven in court, and Ross is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Jazzma Kendrick speaks publicly

Before the arrest, Kendrick had already brought the matter into the public spotlight through a series of Instagram posts.

On September 26, she responded to a comment from a social-media user complimenting her appearance by writing that Ross had allegedly treated her like a “punching bag.”

She later shared a photograph showing an injured upper lip and alleged that Ross had caused the injury.

Kendrick also wrote that the incident was the point at which she decided to leave the relationship.

In another message, she encouraged women experiencing physical abuse to leave situations where they felt unsafe.

Her public comments were widely circulated online before the details of the police investigation became known.

It is important to note that while Kendrick has publicly identified herself as Ross’s former girlfriend, the Washington Post reported that it was not immediately clear whether the woman identified as “J.K.” in the police affidavit was definitively Kendrick.

Ross denies the allegations

Ross has strongly rejected the accusations.

After being released from custody, the rapper told reporters that he was “totally innocent” and described the allegations as fabricated.

His legal team has also challenged the accusations.

Attorney Steve Sadow said Ross was being wrongfully accused by an ex-girlfriend whose motivations were unclear. The defense has also pointed to the fact that the alleged incident occurred on August 28, while the police report was not filed until September 29.

Ross pleaded not guilty and has requested a jury trial.

The defense’s position is that the delay in reporting the alleged incident is relevant to the case, while prosecutors and police will ultimately have to establish what happened based on the available evidence.

Ross released on bond

Following his arrest, Ross appeared in court and was ordered to stay away from the alleged victim.

A judge set his bond at $5,000, and court records show that he was subsequently released.

The conditions of his release include restrictions concerning contact with the woman involved in the case.

His next legal proceedings will determine how the case develops and whether prosecutors proceed with the charges.

50 Cent reacts to the arrest

Ross’s arrest has also reignited attention around his long-running feud with fellow rapper 50 Cent.

The two artists have been involved in a public rivalry for more than a decade, and 50 Cent quickly reacted to news of Ross’s arrest on social media.

His response added another layer of entertainment-industry drama to an already highly publicised legal case.

However, the feud between the two rappers is separate from the criminal allegations facing Ross.

Who is Jazzma Kendrick?

Kendrick is a model and social-media personality who has been publicly linked to Ross since at least 2025.

The pair’s relationship has reportedly been on and off, and they have appeared together publicly during their relationship.

Kendrick’s recent allegations have now brought their private relationship into the centre of a criminal investigation.

For Ross, the allegations represent a significant legal development that could affect both his personal life and public image as the case proceeds.

A case that remains unresolved

The allegations against Ross are serious, but the current legal record does not establish that he committed the acts described by the woman.

Police have filed charges based on their investigation, while Ross has denied wrongdoing and entered a not-guilty plea.

The central issues for the court will include what happened during the alleged August 28 confrontation, what evidence supports each side’s account, and whether prosecutors can prove the charges beyond the required legal standard.

For now, Ross remains free on bond while the case moves through the Florida court system.

The dispute between the rapper and his former partner has therefore moved beyond social media and into the legal system, where the competing accounts will ultimately be tested through the judicial process.