Prosecutors drop felony charge against Rick Ross in domestic assault case

Rick Ross, the rapper known for hits like Port of Miami, now faces fewer charges in a domestic violence case filed in Miami, Florida. Prosecutors announced on Friday morning that they are dropping the felony battery and strangulation count against him.

The decision leaves Ross with a single misdemeanor charge. Officials stated that the felony count was removed due to insufficient evidence. The announcement came during the rapper's second arraignment hearing on October 30.

The alleged incident occurred on August 28 at Ross's residence on Star Island. His ex-girlfriend, Jazzma Kendrick, told police that Ross woke up angry after she was tagged in an Instagram photo. She claimed he slapped her in the face.

Kendrick further stated that Ross accused her of cheating and struck her multiple times. She described him grabbing her ponytail and throwing her into a wall. The police report notes that Ross choked her by twisting the collar of her hoodie until she could not breathe.

Ross, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts II, turned himself in on October 1. He pleaded not guilty to both the felony and misdemeanor charges. He spent a few hours in jail before being bailed out. At the time, Ross said, "I'm totally innocent of these fabricated allegations made against me."

Miami Beach Police spokesman Christopher Bess said investigators collected a victim statement, photographs of injuries, and surveillance video of the incident. Bess said the evidence established probable cause for the arrest and described the event as a violent attack.

Ross's attorney spoke to local network WSVN about the recent change. The lawyer said, "I'm thrilled, [a] felony charge is very serious." The first arraignment hearing had to be reset because prosecutors needed more time to file the charges.