Nelly's attorney says Hot in Herre rapper was 'targeted by an overzealous, out of line officer' in suspected drug possession arrest near St. Louis
- Police in Maryland Heights, Missouri, allegedly found four ecstasy pills
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- READ MORE: Nelly taken into custody Wednesday after a traffic stop
Nelly's lawyer Scott Rosenblum is pushing back on the rapper's Wednesday arrest in connection with suspected drug possession, saying he was 100 percent 'confident this case will go nowhere.'
Rosenblum is representing the Hot In Herre artist, 49, after his arrest early Wednesday in Maryland Heights, an outer suburb of St. Louis, Missouri, after police allegedly discovered four ecstasy pills in his vehicle.
The Ride wit Me artist, whose real name is Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., also was cited for driving without insurance in the arrest, according to a report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, FOX 2 News reported. He was released later on Wednesday.
In a statement released to DailyMail.com, Rosenblum said that Nelly 'was not charged with drug possession' but rather 'arrested for "No Proof of Insurance" from 2018 on a warrant issued [in] December 2023 that he received no notice' about.
Nelly had been 'targeted by an overzealous, out of line officer,' the lawyer said, after a successful evening at the Hollywood Casino and Hotel in which he won 'several jackpots.'
Nelly's lawyer Scott Rosenblum is pushing back on the 49-year-old rapper's Wednesday arrest in connection with suspected drug possession, saying he was 100 percent 'confident this case will go nowhere'; pictured in his mug shot from the Maryland Heights Police Department
The three-time Grammy-winning rapper was pictured at the Grammys in LA last year
Rosenblum said that the police officer, 'instead of just supervising the transfer of [Nelly's] winnings ... felt compelled to needlessly run a check for warrants.'
The police officer told Nelly that 'a background check was mandated when a player won over a certain amount,' Rosenblum said.
The rapper knew that claim was false after having won 'several jackpots for similar or greater amounts, including one just a week prior without incident or a background check,' Rosenblum said.
Rosenblum said that after Nelly was told of an outstanding warrant for the insurance-related infraction, the 'officer felt compelled to handcuff [Nelly] behind his back and parade him through the casino in front of other patrons.'
Nelly's lawyer said that the officer then 'conducted a search without probable cause where he claimed to have found alleged "ecstasy" in [Nelly's] personal property.'
Rosenblum implied that the officer treated Nelly differently due to his fame, as 'under similar circumstances, assuming there was an old warrant without any notice to the individual for no proof of insurance, any other citizen would have been told to address it and allowed to go on their way.'
Nelly's lawyer said that the rap artist 'is regularly asked to supply proof of no warrants' in accordance with 'the requirements to travel internationally,' and has also been vetted by the FBI.
Rosenblum wrapped up in saying he was fully 'confident this case will go nowhere' and that his firm 'will be asking for an inquiry into this officer's conduct.'
The rapper Nelly was arrested early Wednesday morning for alleged drug possession, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s arrest report, via FOX 2 News
The Missouri State Highway Patrol also arrested Nelly for allegedly not having insurance; pictured in November 2023 in Miami, Florida
After the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Nelly, he was then transferred to the custody of the Maryland Heights Police Department, where he was arrested on a failure to appear warrant.
That warrant was reportedly related to a traffic charge he had previously received in Maryland Heights, the department said in a statement to NBC News.
Earlier this summer, Nelly was reported to have married fellow musical artist Ashanti secretly wed nearly six months earlier.
Citing public records, TMZ reported that the couple wed on December 27, 2023.
It's unknown where exactly they tied the knot, but the union became official in St. Louis County. Nelly hails from St. Louis.
DailyMail.com contacted representatives for the couple for comment.
The couple is expecting their first child together after Ashanti, 43, confirmed her pregnancy and revealed their engagement in April.
Recently, Ashanti shared details from Nelly's proposal.
He was then reportedly transferred to the custody of the Maryland Heights Police Department, where he was arrested on a failure to appear warrant; pictured in 2022 in NYC
That warrant was reportedly related to a traffic charge he had previously received in Maryland Heights, an outer suburb of St. Louis, the Maryland Heights Police Department said in a statement to NBC News
The singer reflected on the event, explaining the casual way the rapper popped the question.
'It was just such a beautiful, intimate moment' Ashanti told Entertainment Tonight. 'We were not dressy.'
The singer said they were watching television in bed, dressed in pajamas, which added to why she was 'completely' shocked.
'I cried. I gave him the biggest hug and kiss ever,' Ashanti recalled. 'I FaceTimed everyone I know... I was overjoyed and shocked and surprised and happy kind of like all in one.'
When it comes to their impending nuptials, the Foolish artist confirmed she will give birth before walking down the aisle.
'Never in a million years did I think we would be here,' she gushed. 'Ten years ago — maybe yes — but after our breakup, you know, I didn't even think we'd ever have a conversation again.'
The couple dated from 2003 to 2013 before going their separate ways.
Earlier this summer, Nelly was reported to have married Ashanti secretly wed nearly six months earlier; pictured together in February in Miami
The couple are expecting their first child together. In April, Ashanti confirmed her pregnancy and revealed their engagement
In 2021, Nelly and Ashanti ran into each other at Fat Joe and Ja Rule's Verzuz battle.
Nelly asked for Ashanti's number from DJ City, sparking the pair to rekindle their romance.
'I guess when you go through a breakup, for me personally, I kind of just shut that person out...' Ashanti continued. 'It's kinda like, OK, that chapter is closed and you just move on, you know, and there's nothing there.'
