MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Rapper Rick Ross was arrested early Thursday morning and charged with battery related to a domestic violence accusation, authorities said. Ross, whose legal name is William Roberts II, faces a felony charge of battery by strangulation, as well as a misdemeanour battery charge, according to online court records. An attorney for Ross, 50, released a statement saying 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,” defence attorney Steve Sadow said in the statement. “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.” Jail records showed that Ross was being held Thursday morning on US$5,000 bail. An arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 22.
