MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Rick Ross walked out of custody Thursday and wasted little time addressing the domestic violence charges against him, firmly denying the allegations before turning an otherwise serious media scrum into a characteristically memorable moment involving international travel — and a very specific plate of pasta.

The 50-year-old rapper and Maybach Music Group founder, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts II, emerged wearing sunglasses, a large cross pendant and a brightly colored patterned jacket, as seen in footage of his release.

With reporters gathered around him and attempting to ask questions, Ross began by demanding their attention.

“First and foremost, I need silence,” Ross said. “First and foremost, I’m totally innocent of these fabricated allegations made against me.”

Ross then abruptly shifted from the criminal case to his immediate travel and dining plans.

“I’ll be in Dubai tomorrow, Paris Saturday, and I plan on having a bowl of rigatoni with heavy marinara Sunday,” he said.

Then, apparently wanting to make sure there was no confusion about the order, Ross repeated himself:

“I repeat: Rigatoni, heavy marinara.”

As members of the press continued trying to question him — with reporters heard calling, “Rick, Rick, give us one second” — Ross declined to engage in an extended back-and-forth.

“Thank you all for your time,” he said.

When questions about the allegations continued, Ross reiterated his denial.

“Enjoy your day. Thank you,” Ross said. “They’re not true. Thank you.”

He then walked away without taking further questions.

The Charges Against Rick Ross

Ross surrendered voluntarily to Miami Beach police Thursday morning and was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center shortly after 6 a.m., according to police and court information reported by CBS Miami. He faces one felony count of battery by strangulation and one misdemeanor count of battery, stemming from an alleged domestic violence incident on Aug. 28 at his Star Island residence. 

According to the arrest affidavit, the woman told investigators that Ross became angry over a social-media photograph in which she had been tagged. She alleged that he slapped her and later struck her multiple times in the chest. She further alleged that Ross grabbed and twisted the collar of her hoodie in a manner that restricted her breathing, grabbed her by her ponytail, slammed her against a wall and struck her in the face. These are allegations contained in the arrest report and have not been proven in court. 

CBS Miami reported that the woman provided investigators with a sworn statement and timestamped photographs of injuries. Police also reviewed surveillance footage from the residence as part of their investigation. 

A Miami-Dade judge found probable cause and set bond at $5,000 — $4,000 on the felony charge and $1,000 on the misdemeanor charge. Ross bonded out late Thursday morning. The judge also ordered him to have no direct or indirect contact with the alleged victim and prohibited him from possessing firearms while the case is pending. His arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 22. 

Ross has pleaded not guilty. His attorneys have also publicly rejected the accusations, saying their client has been wrongly accused and asking that the legal process be allowed to play out. 

For Ross himself, however, his first public comments after leaving custody were considerably shorter.

The allegations, he insisted, are false.

And as for Sunday’s menu, he was equally unequivocal:

Rigatoni. Heavy marinara.