Florida prosecutors dropped a felony charge of battery by strangulation against rapper Rick Ross, citing insufficient evidence nearly a month after his arrest in Miami Beach, court records showed.
Legal Status and Ongoing Charges
The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office filed paperwork to dismiss the felony count on Thursday. Despite the dismissal, William Roberts II—known professionally as Rick Ross—still faces a misdemeanor charge of battery domestic violence.
The 50-year-old artist has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His defense attorney stated that his client will continue to defend himself against the remaining allegations.
The case stems from an incident on August 28, when an arrest report indicates a woman living with Ross told Miami Beach detectives that he accused her of cheating and struck her multiple times. The woman alleged that Ross choked her with the collar of her shirt and slammed her into a wall before she managed to leave the residence.
Ross surrendered at the Miami Beach police station on October 1, two days after the woman filed her report. He was released on bail several hours later.
Prior Court Record and South Florida History
Court records from Georgia show that Ross previously pleaded no contest to aggravated assault in 2017. That case involved accusations from 2015 that he forced a man into a guesthouse at his suburban Atlanta mansion and beat him with a handgun. A Georgia first-time offender program subsequently resulted in an order exonerating him of that felony count.
Ross established himself as a prominent figure in South Florida hip-hop, gaining widespread attention in 2006 with his debut single Hustlin’.
He helped elevate Miami’s profile in the rap industry during an era when major commercial hubs were concentrated in Atlanta and Houston.
His debut album, Port of Miami,
debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and achieved platinum status. Subsequent releases included 2008’s Trilla
and 2009’s Deeper Than Rap.
In 2008, he founded the Maybach Music Group, which supported the careers of artists such as Wale, Meek Mill, and French Montana. His most recent album, Set In Stone,
was released in July.
