‘Hip-Hop Mogul’ Rick Ross Arrested on Allegations of Assaulting, Trying to Strangle Girlfriend at Star Island Mansion

Rick Ross, a hip-hop mogul and rapper, was arrested by police after allegedly assaulting and strangling his girlfriend at his Miami home.

■ Dispute over Instagram tag escalates into assault; charges include attempted strangulation and injury

According to the Miami Beach Police Department, Rick Ross surrendered at the department on the morning of the 1st, was questioned and then arrested. He was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

He faces one felony count of battery by strangulation and one count of simple battery, a misdemeanor. According to the police report, the incident occurred Aug. 28 at Rick Ross’ luxurious mansion on Miami’s Star Island.

The woman, who had dated Rick Ross and lived with him for about a year, told police that he hit her in the face after accusing her of lying about an Instagram photo in which she had been tagged. She said that when she fled to the bathroom, he followed her, struck her in the chest several times and twisted the collar of the hoodie she was wearing around her neck, blocking her breathing. Investigators said Rick Ross then grabbed her by the hair and slammed her head against a wall, splitting her lip, before pushing her to the floor and beating her. He allegedly continued the abuse by turning on the shower and spraying her with water.

The woman gathered her belongings and escaped while Rick Ross was away from the home. She officially reported the alleged abuse to police Sept. 29. Investigators obtained timestamped photos of her injuries and CCTV footage showing that an acquaintance who came to pick her up that day was denied entry to the mansion. They then secured an arrest warrant.

■ Rick Ross categorically denies charges: “Fabricated allegations, completely innocent”

After news of his arrest broke, Rick Ross posted a video to his Instagram Story and strongly denied the allegations.

“First and foremost, I am innocent of the completely fabricated allegations brought against me. I’ll say it again: I am completely innocent,” Rick Ross said. “I trust my legal team, and these fabricated claims will soon be resolved through the legal system.”

His attorney, Bradley Horenstein, also told CBS News, “All of the allegations are false, and he is innocent. The truth will emerge as the legal process unfolds, so please refrain from rushing to judgment.”

■ Released after posting $5,000 bail; court orders stay-away protection and firearm surrender

Rick Ross appeared by video at a Miami-Dade bond court hearing. After reviewing the police investigative report, Judge Mindy Glazer found probable cause for the arrest charges.

The court set bail at $5,000 in total, including $4,000 for the battery-by-strangulation charge and $1,000 for the simple-battery charge (about 6.6 million won). Rick Ross posted bail and was released later that morning.

The court also issued a stay-away order barring him from direct or indirect contact with the woman. Rick Ross may not contact her in any way, including through third parties or social media, and may not go near her home, workplace or school. He was also ordered to immediately surrender all firearms and concealed weapons in his possession to authorities.

After being released on bail, Rick Ross headed to the airport to fulfill scheduled weekend performances in Dubai and Paris. He is due back in court for arraignment on Oct. 22.