American rapper Rick Ross, whose real name is William Roberts II, was taken into custody in Miami Beach on Thursday following allegations of domestic violence, as confirmed by local authorities to The Associated Press. Ross faces one felony charge of battery by strangulation and a misdemeanor battery charge. He was subsequently released from jail after posting a cash bond, as indicated in online court records.

According to reports, a woman, who remains unidentified, informed local detectives that she was residing with Ross when, on August 28, he accused her of infidelity and physically assaulted her. The woman claimed that Ross struck her multiple times, choked her with her shirt collar, and forcefully slammed her against a wall.

The incident was reported on Tuesday, leading to Ross voluntarily surrendering himself at the local police station on Thursday morning. In an Instagram story shared from a car on the same day, Ross vehemently proclaimed his innocence, denouncing the accusations as “fabricated allegations.”

In a statement provided to CBC News, Ross’s legal representatives affirmed his innocence and disclosed that the rapper has entered a plea of not guilty to both charges. They emphasized that Ross urges his supporters and the public to refrain from making premature judgments and to allow the legal process to unfold.

Having gained prominence as a Miami-based rapper in the early 2000s, Ross achieved success with his debut single “Hustlin'” in 2006 and later secured a record deal with Jay Z’s label, Def Jam Records. His first album, “Port of Miami,” debuted at the top spot on the Billboard 200 chart. In 2008, Ross founded his own label, Maybach Music Group, where he signed notable artists such as Meek Mill and French Montana.

An arraignment for Ross’s case is slated for October 22. If you are facing immediate danger or are impacted by family or intimate partner violence, please seek assistance through crisis hotlines and local support services.