Rapper Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Haynes II, was arrested early Wednesday at a St. Louis-area casino. The Missouri Highway Patrol reported that an officer found four illegal ecstasy pills on him during the arrest, which took place around 4:45 a.m. in Maryland Heights, Missouri.
Nelly's attorney, Scott Rosenblum, claimed that the officer conducted an improper search, alleging that Nelly was unfairly targeted. Rosenblum stated that Nelly, a St. Louis native, frequents the casino and had won several jackpots there. The arrest stemmed from an outstanding warrant issued in December 2023 for operating a vehicle without proper proof of insurance.
Rosenblum criticized the officer's actions, stating that Nelly was not informed about the warrant and should have been allowed to address it without being paraded through the casino in handcuffs. The attorney also disputed the officer's justification for searching Nelly, arguing that there was no probable cause.
Despite the arrest, Rosenblum expressed confidence that the case would not proceed and indicated that they would seek an inquiry into the officer's conduct. The Missouri Highway Patrol's report did not provide specific details about the arrest, and the Maryland Heights police did not respond to requests for comment.
Nelly, a three-time Grammy Award winner known for hits like “Hot in Herre” and “Just A Dream,” has had a successful music career with multiple chart-topping songs. In addition to his music, Nelly has ventured into acting, appearing in films and television series. He recently announced his engagement to singer and actor Ashanti, with whom he is expecting a child.
This is not the first time Nelly has faced legal issues. In 2015, he was arrested on felony drug charges in Tennessee, which were later reduced to a misdemeanor. In 2017, he was arrested in Washington on allegations of sexual assault, which he denied and settled in 2018.
