NAPA, CALIFORNIA - MAY 24: Nelly performs at 2024 BottleRock at Napa Valley Expo on May 24, 2024 in Napa, California. (Photo by Miikka Skaffari/FilmMagic)
Whew, chile! Roommates, new details have emerged about the reported arrest of Nelly. As The Shade Room previously reported, authorities arrested the rapper on Wednesday, August 7, for alleged possession of ecstasy and lack of insurance.
According to TMZ, Nelly’s legal team is challenging the police following his appearance at a St. Louis, Missouri casino on Wednesday morning.
PageSix reports that Nelly’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum, stated that the rapper won a jackpot at the Hollywood Casino in St. Charles. The arresting officer later explained that they needed to conduct a background check before releasing his earnings.
Per TMZ, Rosenblum also stated that he believed the background check was unnecessary because Nelly had won larger jackpots at the same casino before and collected his winnings without any problems or background checks.
Rosenblum also revealed to TMZ that the artist never faced arrest for drug possession, despite reports. He further explained that the arresting officer searched the ‘Hot In Herre’ artist without probable cause and then claimed to find alleged ecstasy among the rapper’s belongings.
Rosenblum said the background check revealed an active warrant for Nelly for no insurance from a past Maryland Heights traffic stop. He pointed out that the active warrant stemmed from a traffic stop in 2018 but was issued in December 2023. He further mentioned that Nelly never received any notice regarding the warrant.
TMZ reported that Nelly, previously known as Cornell Haynes II, went into custody at 4:45 a.m.
The outlet obtained his mugshot, showing him with bloodshot eyes and an expressionless face, wearing a black hoodie over a white shirt.
Attorney Rosenblum expressed confidence that the case would not progress and announced that the law firm would request an inquiry into the arresting officer’s conduct.
Social media users quickly reacted to the news of his arrest, pointing out that this timing is terrible since he and his wife, Ashanti, are expecting a child together.
