Rapper Nelly was arrested early Wednesday morning at a casino in the St. Louis area. The Missouri Highway Patrol reported that an officer discovered four illegal ecstasy pills in his possession. Nelly’s attorney claimed that the arrest stemmed from an “overzealous” officer who conducted an unwarranted search.
The incident took place at approximately 4:45 a.m. Nelly, 49, was detained by police in Maryland Heights, Missouri, and later released. His attorney, Scott Rosenblum, indicated that the rapper frequently visits the Hollywood Casino and Hotel, as he grew up in the region.
Court records in Missouri reveal that Nelly, born Cornell Haynes II, had been cited in June 2018 for operating a vehicle without valid insurance in Maryland Heights. A warrant related to this issue was issued in December 2023 and had not been resolved prior to his arrest.
According to Rosenblum, Nelly had recently won a series of jackpots at the casino, and when he attempted to claim them, the officer responsible for overseeing the transaction conducted a warrant check. Upon discovering the outstanding warrant, the officer decided to arrest Nelly, handcuffing him and allegedly parading him through the casino in front of witnesses.
The attorney expressed doubt about the validity of the alleged ecstasy found and contended that the officer lacked probable cause for the search. Rosenblum also stated that Nelly was unaware of the warrant prior to the arrest. He expressed confidence that the case would likely not progress and indicated a desire for an investigation into the officer’s actions.
The Highway Patrol’s brief report did not provide additional details about the incident, and a request for comment from the Maryland Heights police department went unanswered.
Rosenblum pointed out that in similar situations, other individuals would likely have been allowed to resolve the issue without being detained.
Nelly is a three-time Grammy Award winner known for hit songs such as “Hot in Herre” and “Just A Dream.” He has achieved four No. 1 hits and nine Billboard Music Awards and recently completed a series of performances alongside Janet Jackson on her tour.
He has won Grammy Awards for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and Best Male Solo Rap Performance, with his album “Nellyville” nominated for two major awards in 2002. Additionally, Nelly gained a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group the following year for “Shake Ya Tailfeather.”
In addition to his music career, Nelly has acted in various films and television shows, including “The Longest Yard” and a reality series on BET featuring his family. Earlier this year, he announced his engagement to singer and actress Ashanti, with whom he is expecting a child.
Nelly has had previous legal issues, such as a 2015 arrest in Tennessee for felony drug charges, which he ultimately resolved by pleading guilty to a misdemeanor. He also faced legal challenges in 2017 due to allegations of sexual assault, which were later settled out of court.