Rapper Rick Ross arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, assault

Rapper Rick Ross has been arrested for the second time in two weeks in Georgia, and this time he’s facing felony charges of kidnapping, aggravated assault and aggravated battery.

According to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Ross, 39, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts, was arrested Wednesday morning in Fayetteville, Ga.

Also arrested was Nadrian Lateef James, 42, who prosecutors described as Ross’ bodyguard. James faces charges of kidnapping and aggravated battery, the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

The trouble happened June 7 at Ross’ home in Fayetteville and involved Jonathan Zamudio, a groundskeeper who lives at the home, according to Scott Ballard, the district attorney for the Griffin Judicial Circuit, which includes Fayette County.

According to an arrest warrant released by authorities, Ross pistol-whipped Zamudio with a 9-millimeter Glock, hitting him in the head and body. Ross also pointed the weapon at Zamudio “in a threatening manner” and questioned him at gunpoint, according to the affidavit, filed June 17.

Ross and James forced the man into a guest house, down a hallway and into a bedroom and forced him to stay there, the warrant says.

Zamudio suffered two chipped teeth, a neck injury and “multiple scratches and contusions,” according to the warrant, which also says he lost use of his jaw and hasn’t been able to chew food.

The U.S. Marshals Service assisted with the arrests Wednesday morning.

It was not immediately clear what led to the June 7 incident or why it took law enforcement officials three weeks to arrest Ross and James.

In a separate case, Ross was arrested two weeks ago for a traffic violation and possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, a misdemeanor, according to the Fayette County solicitor general’s office. He was released on bond later that day, and that case is pending, officials said.

Ross and James made an initial appearance before a magistrate judge Wednesday morning, but bond proceedings have been referred to a county superior court, documents show.

According to Ballard, the two could remain in custody as long as a week before the superior court judge is scheduled to sit.

Representatives for Ross could not be reached for comment.

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