What Happened
William Roberts II, known professionally as Rick Ross, surrendered to police in Miami-Dade County on Thursday, October 1, 2026. Officers booked him at 6:10 a.m. at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Ross faces two specific charges: felony battery by strangulation and misdemeanor battery. According to Miami-Dade jail records, the rapper is being held on a $5,000 bond for the felony charge and a $1,000 bond for the misdemeanor charge. Court records indicate that Ross has entered a plea of not guilty to both counts. He is currently awaiting an arraignment scheduled for October 22, 2026.
What the Evidence Establishes
Law enforcement sources report that an ex-girlfriend, identified as Jazzma Kendrick, contacted police on Tuesday, September 30, 2026, to report a violent encounter. Kendrick alleges the incident occurred on August 28, 2026, in a residence the couple shared. The complainant provided police with photographic evidence of injuries. According to police reports, Kendrick claims Ross woke her during the night in a rage triggered by a social media photo. She alleges that Ross slapped her, struck her chest multiple times, choked her until she could not breathe, and slammed her against a wall by her ponytail. Ross surrendered voluntarily but declined to provide a statement to investigators regarding these specific allegations.
Where the Accounts Conflict
The defense team, led by attorneys Steve Sadow and Bradley Horenstein, explicitly denies all allegations of violence. The lawyers characterize the charges as wrongful accusations and question the motives of the accuser. A primary point of contention is the timeline of the report; the defense notes that Kendrick did not file a police report until approximately one month after the alleged August 28 incident. While the accuser claims the violence was a result of a jealous rage over social media activity and infidelity, the defense maintains that William Roberts II is innocent and has requested the public avoid prejudging the case before the judicial process concludes.
Context and Stakes
The legal stakes for Roberts are significant due to the felony nature of the battery by strangulation charge, which carries heavier penalties than standard battery. Historically, felony domestic violence charges in Florida can lead to substantial prison time and permanent restrictions on firearm ownership. The timing of the arrest follows a public escalation, as Kendrick reportedly posted photos of her injuries to social media a week prior to the arrest. This public disclosure created a narrative lead-up to the formal charges. The $6,000 total bond is relatively low for a high-net-worth individual, suggesting the court does not currently view him as a significant flight risk.
What to Watch Next
The immediate focus is the release of William Roberts II from the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, as his legal team is currently petitioning for his release. Following his release, the legal proceedings will center on the discovery phase leading up to the October 22 arraignment. Analysts should monitor whether the prosecution introduces additional witnesses or electronic evidence, such as the social media photo mentioned in the police report, to corroborate the timeline. The defense will likely attempt to use the one-month delay in reporting the crime to undermine the credibility of the accuser during preliminary hearings.
Bottom Line
William Roberts II is currently in custody facing serious felony charges stemming from an alleged August 28 assault. While the accuser has provided photos and a detailed account of strangulation and battery to Miami-Dade police, the defense is leveraging the delayed reporting date to argue the claims are fabricated. The resolution of this case depends on the admissibility of the photographic evidence and the ability of the prosecution to prove the events of August 28 despite the 33-day gap between the alleged crime and the police report. The October 22 arraignment will be the first formal judicial test of the state's evidence.
DECLASSIFIED SOURCE: Page Six (via Real-time Signal Upgrade)
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