Prosecutors Drop Rick Ross's Felony Strangulation Charge, Misdemeanor Battery Stays

Prosecutors in Miami have dropped the felony battery by strangulation charge against Rick Ross, legal name William Leonard Roberts II, citing insufficient evidence, according to court documents reported Friday by NBC 6 South Florida, CBS Miami and TMZ. Ross still faces a misdemeanor battery/domestic violence charge tied to an alleged August 28 incident at his Star Island home.

Prosecutors in Miami have dropped the felony battery by strangulation charge against Rick Ross, legal name William Leonard Roberts II, citing insufficient evidence, according to court documents reported Friday by NBC 6 South Florida, CBS Miami and TMZ.

Ross still faces a misdemeanor battery/domestic violence charge tied to an alleged August 28 incident at his Star Island home. NBC 6 reports the state is moving forward on one battery/domestic violence count; TMZ reports two misdemeanor counts (battery and battery/domestic violence). He is set to be arraigned Friday and has pleaded not guilty.

According to the arrest report, his then live-in girlfriend told police Ross slapped and struck her, twisted the collar of her hoodie until she couldn't breathe, and slammed her against a wall. Jazzma Kendrick publicly posted allegations matching the report in September. Ross surrendered to Miami Beach police on October 1; a judge set bond at $5,000 and ordered him to stay away from Kendrick. His team has called the claims fabricated.