Rick Ross Arrested: Rapper Charged With Assault, Battery, And Kidnapping
Rapper Rick Ross was reportedly arrested Wednesday morning in Georgia.
According to TMZ, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that the 39-year-old rapper was charged with aggravated assault, aggravated battery, and kidnapping.
“Law enforcement sources tell us the assault charge is for a pistol-whipping, and the kidnapping charge is because the man was allegedly not allowed to leave the house.”
The Hood Billionaire rapper was reportedly arrested without incident along with his bodyguard at his primary residence. The alleged incident, which involved Rick Ross and a man hired to work one of the rapper’s homes, occurred two weeks ago.
TMZ reports that the U.S. Marshals Service got involved with the case after being asked for assistance by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department. Ross’ case apparently qualified for the agency’s involvement, according to the report, since it was high profile and consisted of a dangerous warrant.
Rick Ross Arrested on Kidnapping and Assault Charges http://t.co/7nTIan2Aru
— TMZ (@TMZ) June 24, 2015
In order to prepare for the arrest, the agency focused on studying Rick Ross’ movements for at least a couple of days — especially since Rick Ross is known for moving around a lot.
According to TMZ, the decision was made to detain Rick Ross Wednesday morning at his home since it “was the safest place for their officers.”
This is not the first time that Rick Ross has been arrested in Fayette County recently. TMZ reported earlier this month that the rapper (born William Leonard Roberts II) was arrested for misdemeanor possession of marijuana two weeks ago.
Rick Ross was arrested on a misdemeanor marijuana charge in Fayette County yesterday. pic.twitter.com/vux5n7wgr6 — URBAN365 (@Urban365Radio) June 11, 2015
Back in March, 2011, Rick Ross was arrested in Shreveport, Louisiana, for possession of marijuana. KSLA 12 News reported that “a strong odor of marijuana” was apparently coming from his hotel room at the Hilton in Downtown Shreveport.
In August, 2008, DJ Vlad filed a $4 million lawsuit against Ross in reference to a “brutal attack” allegedly coordinated by Ross. In a press release issued by Brian Caplan, Vlad’s attorney, it claimed that the attack was carried out by Rick Ross’ direction “in retribution for media coverage of Rick Ross’ prior life as a correctional officer.”
Nearly two years later, Rick Ross opened up to MTV News about the verdict of DJ Vlad’s lawsuit — calling it a “success,” even though he had to pay $300,000.
“My defense was a success… To be able to walk out of a courtroom giving the plaintiff less than 10 percent of what he requested, I consider my defense a success. God bless America!… I thank the courts for the monetary decision that they made. They were extremely lenient, I appreciate that. It’s back to the business for the boss.”
According to the report, Rick Ross was forced to pay $250,000 in punitive damages and $50,000 for compensatory damages to DJ Vlad. Caplan stated that the punitive damages were awarded by the jury “to send a message that such conduct will not be tolerated or condoned.”
[Image Credit: David Becker / Getty Images]
