Nearly two years after two employees accused rapper Rick Ross and his bodyguard of pistol-whipping them at his palatial estate in Fayetteville, the two pleaded no contest Tuesday to misdemeanor kidnapping and assault.
Ross, whose real name is William Leonard Roberts, and bodyguard Nadrian Lateef James were sentenced to five years probation in the June 2015 attack, Fayette County District Attorney Benjamin D. Coker said.
“The resolution to the case was reached after discussion with the prosecution team, victims and law enforcement,” Coker said. “It was the best resolution to the case considering the facts and circumstances at hand.”
Ross had tried numerous times to get the case thrown out, claiming self-defense, but had been unsuccessful. The rapper tried to use the stand-your-ground law at Tuesday's motion to suppress the hearing before entering the plea, Channel 2 Action News reported.
Ross and James were arrested after allegedly assaulting two service workers who threw a party at Ross’ 235-acre Fayetteville home formerly owned by boxer Evander Holyfield without his permission. The two men allegedly took the victims into the guest house on the property and attacked them, according to police.
One victim told police he was pistol-whipped and left with a chipped tooth and a jaw injured so badly he was “restricted to soft foods and liquid diet.”
In addition to the assault and kidnapping charges, Ross and James pleaded no contest to three counts of pointing a pistol at another person. Ross also pleaded no contest to a marijuana possession charge and James to driving without a license.
As part of their probation conditions, the two cannot have drugs, alcohol or contact with the victims. A search clause and anger management classes are also included in their probation.
In a statement after the hearing, Ross said he respected and appreciated how the courts chose to resolve the case.
Ross is the founder of Mayback Music Group, which is home to acts such as Wale, Meek Mill and French Montana. Ross’ biggest hit is “Hustlin,” released in 2006.
About the Author
