Rapper Nelly arrested and accused of drug possession at St Louis casino

‘Ride Wit Me’ rapper’s arrest was confirmed by Missouri State Highway Patrol

Rapper Nelly has been arrested for a previous warrant for failure to obtain car insurance and accused of drug possession at a casino in St Louis, Missouri.

The “Ride Wit Me” star was reportedly stopped for an ID check early on Wednesday morning (August 7). He was then arrested over a previous warrant he had under his real name, Cornell Haynes II, for failure to obtain car insurance.

During a subsequent search of his car, Missouri State Highway officers allegedly discovered ecstasy pills.

According to police records seen by The Independent, Nelly was charged with drug possession, transported to the Maryland Heights Police Department and ultimately released.

In a statement to The Independent, Nelly’s attorney Scott Rosenblum disputed the drug charge.

“Mr Haynes was targeted by an overzealous, out of line officer,” said Rosenblum. “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.”

Nelly attending the iHeartRadio Music Awards in Los Angeles in 2021 (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)

Rosenblum continued: “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 attorney added: “I am 100% confident this case will go nowhere. And we will be asking for an inquiry into this officer’s conduct.”

Nelly was previously arrested in 2017 after a woman said he raped her on his tour bus in a town outside Seattle, a claim he denied.

The woman later asked police to stop their investigation. Her lawyer said in a statement that the woman “wishes she had not called 911 because she believes the system is going to fail her” and she “wants this to end.”

Nelly recently completed a US tour as the main support act for Janet Jackson’s “Together Again” tour.

He has been a star since 2000 when his debut album Country Grammar spawned massive hits including the title track and “Ride Wit Me.” His second album, Nellyville, produced hit singles including “Hot in Herre” and “Dilemma,” with Kelly Rowland.

His most recent album was 2021’s Heartland.

Earlier this year, the rapper confirmed that he had secretly married fellow singer Ashanti.

The couple confirmed they would be having a child together in April this year, sending fans into a nostalgic meltdown. The pair were first linked back in the early 2000s when they were two of the biggest stars in entertainment.

They rekindled their romance last year, announcing their engagement and pregnancy this year.