Authorities in Missouri announced veteran rapper Nelly had been arrested for alleged ecstasy possession and not having insurance. According to NBC News, the 49-year-old rapper, born Cornell Haynes II, was arrested around 4 a.m. on Wednesday.
The Hot In Herre rapper was said to be in possession of four ecstasy pills when he was arrested at the Hollywood Casino in Maryland Heights. Good Morning America also reported that the Missouri State Highway Patrol in a statement said Nelly was “initially contacted by the Patrol during an identification verification in accordance with Missouri Gaming Commission regulations.”
“During the verification process, Haynes was found to have an active warrant for his arrest from the Maryland Heights Police Department and was arrested without incident,” the statement added. “During a search of his person incident to the arrest, Haynes was found to be in possession of four pills. A preliminary investigation tentatively identified the pills as Ecstasy.”
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Nelly was later released after he was detained at the Maryland Heights Police Department, per records from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Responding to his arrest in a statement, the award-winning rapper’s lawyer, Scott Rosenblum, claimed Nelly “was targeted by an overzealous, out of line officer” and highlighted he was “not charged with drug possession.”
“He was arrested for ‘No Proof of Insurance’ from 2018 on a warrant issued December 2023 that he received no notice,” Rosenblum explained. “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 statement added.
The statement continued: “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 insurance infraction, this officer felt compelled to handcuff Mr. Haynes behind his back and parade him through the casino in front of other patrons,” the statement further said.
“This officer then conducted a search without probable cause where he claimed to have found alleged ‘ecstasy’ in Mr. Haynes’ personal property. 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.”
Rosenblum also said he’s “100% confident this case will go nowhere”, adding that they will be “asking for an inquiry into this officer’s conduct.”
