Rapper Nelly was arrested in Missouri for no insurance, possession of ecstasy

Rapper Nelly was arrested early Wednesday at a casino in the St. Louis, and the Missouri Highway Patrol said an officer found four illegal ecstasy pills on him. The rapper’s lawyer said an “overzealous” officer targeted him and conducted an improper search.

The arrest took place around 4:45 a.m. and Nelly, 49, was taken into custody and later released by police in Maryland Heights, Missouri, the patrol said in a brief online report. Suburb St. Louis is home to the Hollywood Casino and Hotel, and Nelly’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum, said in a statement Wednesday night that the rapper, who grew up in the area, visits frequently.

Online Missouri court records show Nelly, whose birth name is Cornell Haynes II, was cited in June 2018 in Maryland Heights for operating a vehicle without proper proof of insurance. A judge issued a warrant in December 2023, and it has remained in circulation.

Rosenblum said Nelly won several casino jackpots and when he sought to collect them, the officer allegedly overseeing the transaction “uselessly” sought warrants. Once the officer found the outstanding warrant, he handcuffed Nelly behind his back and “felt compelled” to “parade him around the casino in front of other customers,” Rosenblum said.

Nelly’s attorney called what the officer found “alleged ‘ecstasy'” and said the officer did not have probable cause to justify his search. Nelly was not notified of the warrant and did not know about it, Rosenblum said.

“I am 100 percent confident that this case will go nowhere,” Rosenblum said. “And we will demand an investigation into the conduct of this officer.”

The highway patrol report did not provide details about the arrest, and Maryland Heights police did not return a call seeking comment Wednesday.

Rosenblum said that under similar circumstances, “any other citizen would have been told to turn himself in and allowed to go on his way.”

Three-time Grammy Award winner Nelly is known for hits like “Hot in Herre” and “Just A Dream.” He had four No. 1 and received nine Billboard Music Awards. He recently wrapped up a run of shows with Janet Jackson as a special guest on her tour.

He won Grammy Awards in 2002 for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and Best Male Rap Solo Performance, and his “Nellyville” was nominated that year for both Best Rap Album and Best Album of the year. He also won a Grammy the following year for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group the following year for “Shake Ya Tailfeather”.

Beyond his recording career, Nelly has appeared in a number of films and television series, including the sports film “The Longest Yard” and a BET reality series with his family. The artist announced in April that he was engaged to singer and actor Ashanti, and the couple is expecting a child.

In April 2015, Nelly was arrested and faced drug charges in Tennessee after a bus she was traveling in was stopped east of Nashville by the Tennessee Highway Patrol. He later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge and was able to have his record expunged after less than a year of probation.

Nelly was also arrested in October 2017 in Auburn, Washington, south of Seattle, after a woman claimed he sexually assaulted her on his tour bus. Rosenblum said at the time that the allegations were fabricated. The woman sued Nelly, who countered, and they settled their legal claims in September 2018.

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Ballentine reported from Columbia, Missouri, and Hanna reported from Topeka, Kansas. Kaitlyn Huamani from Los Angeles also contributed.

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