Rick Ross Faces Felony Strangulation Charge After Judge Rejects Celebrity Plea.

Rick Ross, 50, was arrested Thursday morning at his Miami Beach home and charged with felony battery by strangulation and misdemeanor battery. The charges stem from a domestic violence accusation by a woman identified in court records as his girlfriend.

• Aug. 28 is the date police say the incident occurred at his Star Island home.
• The accuser reported the incident to police Tuesday — about a month later.
• $5,000 bail was set for the strangulation charge; $1,000 for the battery charge.
• Ross turned himself in Thursday morning and has pleaded not guilty.

Why it matters: Battery by strangulation is a felony under Florida law. A conviction could result in prison time for Ross, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts II.

• The accuser provided police with a sworn statement and photographs of her injuries.

How 23 sources split on this story

Where they split: The central dispute is whether the incident occurred as the accuser describes, with Ross's attorney arguing she is motivated by unclear personal reasons and pointing to the month-long delay before she filed a police report.

What’s next: An arraignment is set for Oct. 22 in Miami Beach.

• Defense attorney Steve Sadow says Ross will contest the charges through the judicial process.
• What are the specific motivations the defense claims underlie the accusation?
• Will additional witnesses or evidence surface before the Oct. 22 arraignment?