Nelly Arrested in Missouri for Drugs, Outstanding No Insurance Warrant

St. Louis recording artist Nelly was arrested on August 7 at a local casino after a police officer allegedly found four illegal ecstasy pills on him. The arrest occurred after the officer checked Nelly’s license and discovered he had an outstanding warrant for not having car insurance. Nelly’s attorney asserts that the officer’s actions were overzealous and is confident that the case will be dismissed.

According to The Associated Press, the incident took place at the Hollywood Casino and Hotel in Maryland Heights, Missouri. Scott Rosenblum, Nelly’s attorney, stated that the 49-year-old artist had some winnings he wished to cash in. During this process, a police officer conducted a search for warrants. Upon discovering the outstanding warrant, the officer allegedly placed Nelly in handcuffs and paraded him through the casino in front of other customers.

Nelly, whose full name is Cornell Haynes, was issued a ticket in June 2018 in Maryland Heights for operating a vehicle without proper proof of insurance. This led to a warrant being issued in December 2023, which remained outstanding.

Rosenblum described what the officer found as “alleged ‘ecstasy'” and argued there was no probable cause for searching the rapper. He also mentioned that Nelly was unaware of the outstanding warrant because he had not been notified of it.

The attorney criticized the officer for being overzealous and suggested that any other citizen would have been instructed to address the issue and allowed to continue on their way. “I am 100% confident this case will go nowhere,” Rosenblum stated, adding that they would be requesting an inquiry into the officer’s conduct.

Nelly recently married fellow recording artist Ashanti in December. The couple is expecting a child together. Nelly and Ashanti had a relationship from 2003 to 2013 and reunited in 2021 during the Fat Joe/Ja Rule Verzuz battle. They rekindled their romance following that event.

Source: The Associated Press