Update: On Wednesday night, August 7, Scott Rosenblum, Nelly’s attorney, spoke out in his defense. Rosenblum told TMZ that Nelly (real name Cornell Haynes Jr.) had been “targeted by an overzealous, out-of-line officer.”
He also issued a statement to Billboard in Nelly’s defense, as excerpted below.
“He was arrested for ‘No Proof of Insurance’ from 2018 on a warrant issued December 2023 that he received no notice. Mr. Haynes is was targeted by an overzealous, out of line officer. 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. The officer informed Mr. Haynes a background check was mandated when a player won over a certain amount; Mr. Haynes knew this to be untrue as he had won several jackpots for similar or greater amounts including one just a week prior without incident or a background check. Once Mr. Haynes was informed of the warrant for a No Proof of lnsurance infraction, this officer felt compelled to handcuff Mr. Haynes behind his back and parade him through the casino in front of other patrons.”
Rosenblum claimed to Billboard and TMZ that the arresting officer searched Nelly “without probable cause” and allegedly discovered ecstasy. Rosenblum expressed utmost confidence that “this case will go nowhere, and we will be asking for an inquiry into this officer’s conduct.”
As per TMZ, Rosenblum clarified that Nelly had not been charged with drug possession.
Original Article: Nelly had been basking in good news over the past year-plus. The iconic St. Louis rapper reconciled with Ashanti, with whom he had a high-profile relationship in the early 2000s, and they may or may not be married. In April, Ashanti did publicly confirm that she and Nelly are expecting their first child together.
But it’s not all roses.
As first reported by KRCG, Nelly was arrested around 4:45 a.m. on Wednesday morning, August 7, in the St. Louis, Missouri area.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol later confirmed details to TMZ, as excerpted below:
“The agency has a gaming division, with troopers stationed at the Hollywood Casino in St. Charles. Nelly was asked to show his ID to police and his info was run for verification in accordance with Missouri Gaming Commission regulations.
Police found Nelly had an active warrant for no insurance from a previous traffic stop conducted by Maryland Heights Police. Nelly was arrested for the active warrant, and he was searched. That’s when four ecstasy pills were found on his person, according to the Highway Patrol.
Nelly was booked for felony drug possession and on a warrant for no vehicle insurance.”
TMZ additionally reported that Nelly was “booked at the Maryland Heights Police Department,” and he has been released. Nelly’s mugshot can be seen within TMZ’s report.
As of this writing, Nelly has not publicly commented on the matter.
