In a surprising turn of events, hip-hop star Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., was arrested early Wednesday morning in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. The arrest follows an incident at Hollywood Casino St. Louis where the rapper was found in possession of ecstasy pills.
According to an arrest report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP), Nelly, 49, was initially approached by law enforcement officers after a routine check revealed an outstanding traffic warrant associated with his name. During the encounter, a search revealed four ecstasy pills on his person, leading to a charge of possession of a controlled substance.
The arrest occurred while Nelly was at Hollywood Casino St. Louis, where he had reportedly enjoyed a successful night, winning several jackpots. An MSHP spokesperson mentioned that Nelly’s arrest was linked to the outstanding warrant discovered during the casino visit.
Nelly has since been released from custody, as noted in the MSHP’s report. His arrest comes at a particularly joyful time in his personal life; the Grammy-winning artist married his on-and-off girlfriend, fellow R&B star Ashanti, in December 2023, and the couple is also expecting their first child together.
In response to the arrest, Nelly’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum, has voiced strong criticism of the police conduct. Rosenblum claims that Nelly was “targeted by an overzealous, out-of-line officer” following his casino winnings. According to Rosenblum, the officer unjustifiably conducted a warrant check even though similar checks were not previously mandated for comparable jackpot winnings.
Rosenblum further argues that the search and subsequent handcuffing of Nelly was executed without proper cause, describing the incident as a public display of misconduct. “I am 100% confident this case will go nowhere,” Rosenblum stated, adding that he intends to request an inquiry into the officer’s actions. As Nelly navigates the legal aftermath of this incident, his supporters and fans are awaiting further developments. The outcome of this case could potentially impact not just his legal standing but also his personal and professional life during this significant period of change.
In other news – AKA and Tibz Suspected Killers’ Court Case Postponed for Further Investigation
The court case involving the suspects in the murder of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend Tabelo “Tibz” Mostoane has been postponed to November. The decision comes as further investigation into the case is needed.
AKA and Tibz were tragically gunned down in front of a restaurant in Durban on February 10, 2023. The five men accused of their murders—Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, Lindani Zenzele Ndimande, Siyanda Eddie Myeza, Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni, and Lindokuhle Lindo Ndimande—appeared in Durban Magistrates Court. Read More
