"Real Housewives of Miami" star Peter Rosello was arrested for battery today after socking a homeless man in the balls last week, this according to law enforcement.

20-year-old Rosello -- the son of housewife Alexia Echevarria -- was arrested for simple battery, which was categorized as a felony on the police report because Rosello attacked a homeless person.

As we reported, Florida has a law that classifies attacks on homeless people as hate crimes, meaning they carry stricter penalties.

He's currently being held on $5,000 bond.

TMZ broke the story ... Rosello stupidly posted video of the incident online last week, showing him sneaking up on a sleeping homeless man and punching him in the groin. The homeless man was contacted by police shortly after and the man decided to press charges.

HOBO JUSTICE!!! TMZ has learned, the homeless man who was assaulted on tape by "Real Housewives of Miami" dumbass Peter Rosello has informed police he wants to press charges ... and now, cops are on the hunt for the reality star.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, the homeless man in the video was contacted by police shortly after the footage surfaced this week -- and he asked to press assault charges against Rosello, son of housewife Alexia Echevarria.

TMZ posted video of the cruel "prank" early today -- showing Rosello punching the guy in the balls while he was sleeping, then running off. 

Now, law enforcement sources tell TMZ, a detective has been assigned to the case and cops are actively looking to speak to Rosello ... and possibly even arrest him on a felony assault charge.

Rosello faces a felony charge because of new laws in Florida stemming from similar "pranks." The new laws classify attacks on homeless people as hate crimes, meaning they carry stricter penalties.

If convicted, Rosello could face at least a year behind bars.

Attempts to reach Rosello were unsuccessful. Calls to "Real Housewives" were not returned.

"Real Housewives of Miami" star Peter Rosello -- the son of housewife Alexia Echevarria -- appeared to have assaulted a homeless man on camera this week, then posted the video online ... and now, police are looking into the footage.

The video was shot in South Beach Monday night -- you can see Peter looking into the camera, and introduce the "prank" by saying, "Punching a hobo in the nuts."

Peter then walks up to a sleeping homeless man and tells him, "I was gonna give you five dollars" ... before dropping his fist into the man's crotch.

Peter and his cameraman then run to a nearby car and make their escape. 

A rep for the Miami Beach PD tells TMZ, the department is currently trying to identify the victim in order to open an investigation.

Attempts to reach Peter were unsuccessful. A rep for "Real Housewives" had no comment.