Freeway Ricky Ross built a cocaine empire in the early 80's before being caught by the Feds and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. That sentence was later reduced to 20 years after a federal appeals court threw out the original decision , then reduced even more for good behavior.
Freeway Ricky used his time locked up wisely, becoming a model prisoner, reading over 300 books, preparing himself for the many legitimate business opportunities that would await him once he was released.
In 2006 an imposter by the name of William Leonard Roberts II aka Officer Ross decided to capitalize on Freeway Rick Ross' fame by stealing his name to use as his rap alter ego.
Now, according to BallerStatus, Freeway Ricky is going after Def Jam Records, Universal and Officer Ross. Accusing them of profiting "off of his name unlawfully while he was in jail, without his consent."
On Monday (May 24) the camp of Freeway Ricky released a statement.
"It's no secret that the boss at FreewayEnterprise.com is unhappy with how his name has been exploited and misused since he went to prison in 1995, and in 2006, the above-named parties signed [William L. Roberts II] (Rick Ross' government name) to a big record deal and then spent, and made, millions off Ross' name,"
In 2006, Freeway Ricky had a lawyer send a cease and desist letter to Def Jam protesting "the exploitation and misuse of his name," but that letter was ignored.
Now that the former drug kingpin is out of prison he plans to reclaim "control of his name in commerce by any means necessary."
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