ST. LOUIS (CelebrityAccess) – The noted rapper and actor Nelly was arrested at a casino in St. Louis on Wednesday on charges of drug possession and an outstanding warrant for failure to maintain car insurance.
According to Fox 2 News, Nelly, whose real name is Cornell I. Haynes Jr., was taken into custody at approximately 4:45 a.m.
Scott Rosenblum, an attorney for the rapper told Fox News that his client was arrested at the casino that he frequently visits and entertains at after he won a jackpot. According to the attorney, an officer who oversees cash transfers from the casino ran a background check and discovered an outstanding warrant stemming from a 2018 traffic stop that was issued in December 2023.
Rosenblum told Fox that the officer said the background check was mandated but Rosenblum disputed that contention, claiming his client has won larger jackpots at the casino and not faced such an examination of his background.
During a search incident to arrest, police allege they discovered an illegal controlled substance in Nelly’s possession, identified in the arrest record as four pills of the drug ecstasy.
According to Fox, Nelly was transported to the Maryland Heights Police Department and was released a short time after his arrest.
In a partial statement provided to Fox, Rosenblum added:
“Under similar circumstances, assuming there was an old warrant without any notice to the individual for no proof of insurance, any other citizen would have been told to address it and allowed to go on their way.
“It is also important to note that Mr. Haynes, as part of the requirements to travel internationally, is regularly asked to supply proof of no warrants. Including FBI checks. There were none.
“I am 100% confident this case will go nowhere. And we will be asking for an inquiry into this officer’s conduct.”
