A few days after Jazzma Kendrick accused Rick Ross of treating her like “a punching bag,” he was arrested. Multiple reports say police took Rozay into custody in Miami Beach on Thursday, Oct. 1. He’s being charged with battery by strangulation in connection with domestic violence, according to jail records reported by NBC Miami. In an update, it appears the arrest is tied to an ex-girlfriend’s claims and photo receipts. Ross’ attorney has denied any wrongdoing and challenged the alleged victim’s account.
RELATED: Tia Kemp Weighs In After Jazzma Kendrick Accuses Rick Ross Of Using Her As “A Punching Bag” (PICS + VIDEO)
What We Know About Rick Ross’ Arrest
Rick Ross turned himself in to the Miami Beach Police early Thursday, TMZ reported in an update. CBS News previously reported that the battery by strangulation charge is a felony. Officials booked Ross, real name William Leonard Roberts, into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center at 6:10 a.m. local time Thursday. His additional battery charge is reportedly listed as a misdemeanor. Both charges are connected to domestic violence, per CBS.
In a first statement, Rick Ross’ attorney has denied the charges and urged the public to wait for the legal process to play out.
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“All I can say is that the allegations are false. He’s innocent. Everything is going to come out,” Bradley Horenstein told CBS News Miami. “We just ask that you allow the process to play out before rushing to judgment, because the truth will come in.”
TMZ, citing law enforcement sources, says an ex-girlfriend of Rick’s, believed to be Jazzma Kendrick but not named, called police on Tuesday and reported a violent incident that allegedly happened on August 28. She reportedly told cops Rick Ross woke her up in a jealous rage about a tagged photo on social media. She alleges he slapped her after questioning her about lying. Also, he allegedly struck her every time he questioned whether she had been with someone else and she denied it. In the confrontation, the woman told police Rick Ross grabbed her by her ponytail, slammed her into a wall, hit her in the chest and choked her until she couldn’t breathe. She reportedly gave photos of her injuries from the alleged assault to police.
His lawyers, Steve Sadow and Bradley Horenstein, have said, per TMZ, that Rick Ross is “being wrongfully accused by an ex-girlfriend whose true motivations are unclear.” Also, the statement called out the lack of a police report after the alleged beatdown. Again, they requested that fans and the general public respect the legal process.
Details On The Rapper’s Bond
According to TMZ, Rick Ross did not speak to the police after turning himself in on the two charges. He’s pleaded not guilty to both the felony and misdemeanor battery charges. His total bond amount is reportedly $6,000, with $5,000 being for the felony charge and the other $1,000 for the misdemeanor.
At the time of reporting, the ‘Diced Pineapples’ artist still hadn’t been released. An arraignment is on the books for Oct. 22. Official booking records did not reveal the victim or any descriptions of them. His mugshot is available below.
As mentioned, Jazzma Kendrick over the weekend said Rick Ross put his hands on her. This caused her to end the relationship, she said. Kendrick shared a selfie of a hurt lip and said she took it on the day Rozay busted it and she left. In another post, Jazzma said that hitting her once was enough and means he never loved her and never will.
““It’s always good until it isn’t. If a man hits you one time, he will do it again. Don’t give him the opportunity. Value your life and leave,” Kendrick added.
After Jazzma spoke out Rick Ross’ ex, Tia Kemp went in on her and Rick. She appeared to warn Kendrick that she won’t be touching Ross’ estate. Then, she popped off on Ross, calling him out for his dating life. Kemp also suggested the rapper wouldn’t hit anyone.
Jazzma Thanks Supporters & Shares How She’s Doing
Following her allegations, Jazzma Kendrick clarified the timeline of the incident. A month after Rick allegedly physically assaulted her, she’s healing, she said. Kendrick shared the update in an Instagram Stories post Monday. She used the last month to “sit with it, process it.” Also, messages of support have touched her because speaking out about Rick Ross’ alleged physical assault wasn’t easy, Jazzma said.
“To everyone who reached out, sent love or just held space for me, thank you. I felt every message, even the ones I haven’t answered yet. I want you to know I’m okay. This happened about a month ago, so I’ve had time to sit with it, process it, and start healing. Speaking up wasn’t easy, but your support reminded me I made the right choice. If you’re going through something similar, you’re not alone, and you deserve to be safe,” Jazzma Kendrick’s statement said.
Kendrick has not publicly addressed Rick Ross’ arrest.
