Nelly Will Not Face Charges In August Drug Arrest
Nelly will not face charges after being arrested earlier this year.
According to the Associated Press, the decision followed “a fair and impartial review of the evidence,” per the rapper’s attorney. “We don’t believe the facts in this case warrant the issuing of charges,” St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell said in a statement shared with the news outlet on Tuesday (Nov. 12).
In August, Nelly, legal name Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., was arrested in his hometown and booked for possession of four ecstasy pills and not having insurance as the result of an outstanding traffic citation.
His lawyer Scott Rosenblum claims he was targeted at the time of the arrest, which took place at a St. Louis-area casino. Per AP, the insurance charge has since been resolved.
In this image released on October 6, 2024, Nelly performs at the American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special at LA Center Studios in Los Angeles, California.
Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images
“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,” his lawyer Scott Rosenblum detailed.
“The officer informed Mr. Haynes a background check was mandated when a player won over a certain amount; Mr. Haynes knew this to be untrue as he had won several jackpots for similar or greater amounts including one just a week prior without incident or a background check.”
The inquiry recovered a summons for a 2018 traffic stop. Rosenblum claims that as the officer prepared to take him into custody, he was subjected to a search described as “without probable cause” which led to the recovery of ecstasy pills.
(L-R) Ashanti and Nelly attend the 2024 Baby2Baby Gala Presented by Paul Mitchell at Pacific Design Center on November 09, 2024 in West Hollywood, California.
Araya Doheny/Getty Images for Baby2Baby
With this legal drama almost fully behind him, the “Pimp Juice” rapper can continue to usher in the next era of life with wife Ashanti and their new baby boy, Kareem Kenkaide Haynes.
“I [now] have my soulmate, my person, my best friend, my protector. It’s an amazing feeling. The universe doesn’t make mistakes,” exclaimed the R&B singer. “I don’t tell him all the time, but I’ve learned a lot [from him] about just being grateful and graceful and giving people grace. Being open-minded, level-headed, and not too emotional.”
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