Rapper Nelly Arrested for Illegal Drug Possession When Collecting Casino Wins

Rapper Nelly (real name Cornell Iral Haynes Jr) was arrested early Wednesday and accused of possessing illegal drugs when trying to collect his jackpot wins at Missouri’s Hollywood Casino and Hotel. 

According to the Highway Patrol’s arrest report, the 49-year-old artist was taken into custody by Maryland Heights police at 4:45 a.m. after he was allegedly found carrying ecstasy pills. 

The Outstanding Warrant

In June 2018, Nelly was cited in Maryland Heights for operating a vehicle without proof of insurance. 

In December 2023, a judge issued a warrant in his name. The warrant, which has remained outstanding ever since was discovered by the officer who supervised Nelly’s casino withdrawal transaction. 

According to Nelly’s attorney, after the respective officer “needlessly” ran a search for warrants and discovered the outstanding warrant, he cuffed the three-Grammy award winner’s hands behind his back, feeling “compelled” to “parade him through the casino in front of other customers.”

According to Nelly’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum, the rapper who grew up in the area frequently visited the respective casino. 

During the same statement on Wednesday evening, the attorney explained the “overzealous” officer who found the alleged ecstasy pills did not have probable cause to justify searching his client. 

The rapper had not been notified of the warrant and had no clue about its existence, he added.

Nelly was shortly released by Maryland Heights police in Missouri, according to the patrol’s online report. 

“I Am 100% Confident This Case Will Go Nowhere” 

Rosenblum said he was “100% confident” the case “will go nowhere,” adding they will ask for a probe into the officer’s actions.

The attorney explained that, in similar circumstances, “any other citizen would have been told to address it and allowed to go on their way.”

The artist who is known for hits “Hot in Herre” and “Just A Dream” and the nine Billboard Music Awards that he won over the years was arrested in April 2015, when he faced felony drug charges in Tennessee when the bus he was traveling in was pulled over by the Tennessee Highway Patrol. 

Nelly pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge and had his record expunged after going through less than a year of probation.

The artist who joined Janet Jackson for a series of performances as a special guest on her tour was also put under arrest in October 2017 in Auburn, Washington, after a woman accused him of allegeded sexual assault on his tour bus. 

Rosenblum explained the allegations were false and fabricated. The alleged victim sued the rapper, who countersued, resulting in a settlement in September 2018.

Nelly is not the only iconic artist/entertainer known for their passion for casino gambling. 

Fellow rapper Drake is also known for his gambling habits that oftentimes lead to massive losses. 

Recently, it has been rumored that Bruno Mars might be owing $50 million to MGM Resorts International in the form of gambling debt. Both the artist and MGM Resorts denied the rumors.