Nelly Arrested in St. Louis Area as He's Accused of Ecstasy Possession and Lack of Insurance: Police

• Nelly was arrested in the area of ​​St. Louis
• He was arrested for failure to appear on an old traffic charge, according to Maryland Heights police
• He was also arrested for possession of four ecstasy pills and no insurance, according to NBC affiliate TV KRCG

Nelly was arrested.

The Maryland Heights Police Department confirms to PEOPLE that the rapper, 49, was arrested for failure to appear on an old traffic charge around 5 a.m. after being picked up by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Hollywood Casino Gaming Division.

According to online arrest records seen by PEOPLE, the rapper — whose real name is Cornell Haynes Jr. – was initially arrested on charges of possession of a controlled substance for allegedly having four ecstasy pills and charges that he had no insurance.

Despite the arrest record showing otherwise, Nelly’s lawyer claims the artist “was not charged with drug possession.”

Attorney Scott Rosenblum argued that “any other citizen” would have been “told to turn around and go on his way” because he had no proof of insurance, but the officer, who has not been named, was “overzealous” and acted “rudely.” on the line.” Rosenblum claimed the officer conducted a “search without probable cause” and added that he would request an investigation into the officer’s conduct.

A representative for Nelly has not yet responded to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Nelly performs at the ACM Awards.

FOX

Rapper Nelly has denied sexually assaulting a woman on tour following his early morning arrest

This isn’t the “Hot in Herre” musician’s first brush with the law — he’s faced multiple sexual assault charges.

In October 2017, Nelly was arrested after a woman named Monique Greene claimed the rapper sexually assaulted her on his tour bus in Washington.

In a statement to The Blast, the Auburn Police Department confirmed that the “Ride Wit Me” rapper was arrested. He was later released from police custody while authorities continued to investigate the claim.

Nelly’s rep denied the allegations and told PEOPLE via a statement from his attorney that the woman’s claims were “completely fabricated allegations” and that they were confident he would not be charged.

By September 2019, prosecutors dropped the case after Greene refused to testify and did not press charges. Nelly claimed that they had consensual sex.

After facing charges for an alleged sexual assault that took place in December 2017 following one of his concerts in England, Essex Police dropped their investigation into the hip-hop star in April 2019.

An anonymous woman claimed that Nelly masturbated in front of her multiple times after his performance at the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend. He rejected the accusations.

According to the BBC, the woman refused to testify, prompting British prosecutors to drop the case.

In April 2015, Nelly was also arrested on several drug charges, including drug possession by Tennessee State Police, PEOPLE confirmed. However, his lawyer denied that he was “connected” to the smuggling of goods that led to his arrest.

While traveling with five other people, Nelly was pulled over for failing to display a US Department of Transportation and International Fuel Tax Association sticker, authorities said in a press release at the time.

According to the release, officers said they smelled marijuana in the vehicle.

In a subsequent search and probable cause investigation, officers found a plastic bag containing five colored crystal-type rocks that tested positive for methamphetamine; “small amount” of marijuana; approximately 100 small Ziploc bags and “numerous” handguns, including a gold-plated 50-caliber Desert Eagle pistol.

“Nelly was one of several people on the tour bus that was stopped and searched while traveling through Tennessee,” attorney Scott Rosenblum said in a statement at the time. “In fact, there were 15-20 people who had access to the bus before it stopped. A small amount of contraband (MDMA aka molly or ecstasy) was allegedly discovered during a routine search.

Nelly was charged with felony drug possession, simple possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, but the charges were eventually expunged from his record after he completed a diversion program.

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Ashanti and Nelly.

Paras Griffin/Getty

Nelly arrested on drug charges while traveling in Tennessee

Nelly is currently expecting his first child with Ashanti, whom he secretly married in December 2023.

In April 2024, the “Happy” musician, 43, revealed the couple were expecting their first child together and discussed the life change in an interview with Essence.

“This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope and anticipation,” Ashanti told the publication. “Motherhood is something I’ve been looking forward to.”

The “Foolish” singer also subtly confirmed the couple’s engagement when she called Nelly her “fiance.”

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Source: HIS Education