Nelly, the iconic rapper known for hits like “Hot in Herre” and “Ride Wit Me,” found himself in hot water early Wednesday morning (August 7) in St. Charles, Missouri. The 49-year-old artist was arrested at the Hollywood Casino by the Missouri State Highway Patrol on a drug possession charge, according to reports from Page Six.
The arrest, however, wasn’t just a straightforward case of possession. According to the New York Post, the chain of events leading to Nelly’s arrest began with what seemed like a routine ID verification check at the casino. These checks are sometimes conducted in Missouri casinos as part of the state’s gaming commission regulations. But in this case, the check revealed something more: Nelly had an outstanding warrant related to a previous traffic stop for driving without insurance. This discovery set the stage for his arrest.
After officers took Nelly into custody, they conducted a search and reportedly found ecstasy pills on him. As a result, he was charged with possession of a controlled substance, in addition to the charges stemming from the traffic stop. The rapper, whose real name is Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., was booked, had his mugshot taken, and was later released. According to the Post, formal charges have not yet been filed, and the decision to press charges will be up to the prosecutors after the necessary paperwork is submitted.
In response to the arrest, Nelly’s lawyer, Scott Rosenblum, did not hold back in his criticism of the circumstances surrounding the incident. In a statement to Page Six, Rosenblum accused the arresting officer of targeting Nelly unfairly. “After winning several jackpots, at a venue where Mr. Haynes frequently visits and entertains at its amphitheater; instead of just supervising the transfer of Mr. Haynes’ winnings, this officer felt compelled to needlessly run a check for warrants,” Rosenblum explained.
The lawyer went on to describe the situation as an overreach by law enforcement, saying that the officer claimed a background check was required whenever a player won over a certain amount of money. According to Rosenblum, Nelly knew this was false, as he had won similar or greater amounts at the same casino in the past without incident or a background check. Rosenblum firmly stated that Nelly was searched “without probable cause” and expressed confidence that the case would not proceed further. “I am 100 percent confident this case will go nowhere. And we will be asking for an inquiry into this officer’s conduct,” he declared.
This arrest is just the latest chapter in what has been an eventful year for Nelly, both personally and professionally. Nearly two months prior, it was reported that Nelly and fellow musician Ashanti had secretly tied the knot at the end of 2023, a revelation that took many fans by surprise. The couple, who have had an on-again, off-again relationship over the years, seem to have finally solidified their bond. Adding to the excitement, Ashanti also revealed earlier this year that she was pregnant with their first child, marking a new beginning for the couple.
