By Sohaib Shams
Florida prosecutors on Thursday dropped a felony charge of battery by strangulation against rapper Rick Ross, citing insufficient evidence, though he still faces a misdemeanor domestic violence battery charge.
Charge Dismissed
The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office filed paperwork to dismiss the felony count nearly a month after Ross was arrested in Miami Beach. Ross, 50, whose legal name is William Roberts II, surrendered on Oct. 1 and was released on bail hours later. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Arrest Details
According to an arrest report, a woman who had been living with Ross told detectives he accused her of cheating, struck her multiple times on Aug. 28, choked her with her shirt collar, and slammed her into a wall. She left the home and later returned to collect belongings after Ross left.
Legal Response
Ross's attorney said Friday that his client will continue to defend himself against the remaining allegation.
Previous Legal Issues
Ross previously pleaded no contest to aggravated assault in 2017 in Georgia over a 2015 incident. Under a first-time offender program, the court exonerated him of guilt on that felony count.
Music Career
The rapper and entrepreneur, a longtime South Florida resident, rose to prominence in 2006 with "Hustlin'" and has released multiple platinum albums, founded Maybach Music Group, and been nominated for nine Grammy Awards. His latest album, "Set In Stone," was released in July.
