Nelly arrives at the Baby2Baby Gala on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, Calif. (AP/Richard Shotwell/Invision)
- Nelly's lawyer claims the search leading to his arrest was unwarranted, challenging the casino's warrant check procedure.
- The insurance charge that led to Nelly's arrest has been dismissed after he provided proof of car insurance.
- Nelly, a three-time Grammy winner, is known for hits like "Hot in Herre" and has appeared in films and TV series.
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ST. LOUIS — Rapper Nelly won’t face drug charges following his arrest this summer at a St. Louis-area casino, a prosecutor said.
“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 Tuesday.
Nelly, 49, whose birth name is Cornell Haynes II, grew up in the area. His lawyer, Scott Rosenblum, has said the search that led to Nelly’s August arrest was unwarranted.
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Prosecutor’s Decision Follows Review
Bell’s office didn’t elaborate on why the decision was made to not file charges. Rosenblum said in an email Wednesday that Bell’s decision followed “a fair and impartial review of the evidence.”
Nelly was arrested at 4:45 a.m. Aug. 7 as he sought to collect several jackpots he won at Hollywood Casino & Hotel in Maryland Heights, Missouri. A trooper assigned to the casino told Nelly that a warrant search is required when a gambler wins more than a certain amount of money. Rosenblum said no such warrant check is required.
The background check showed that a judge issued a warrant in December over a 2018 citation for operating a vehicle without proof of insurance. Because of the outstanding warrant, Nelly was arrested and searched. That’s when the officer allegedly found four ecstasy pills. Police had sought a charge of felony possession of a controlled substance.
Insurance Charge Dismissed
Meanwhile, the insurance charge has been resolved. Rosenblum said it was dismissed after Nelly provided proof that he has car insurance.
Nelly’s Successful Music Career
Nelly, a three-time Grammy Award winner, is known for hits like “Hot in Herre” and “Just A Dream.” He’s had four No. 1 hits and received nine Billboard Music Awards. He also has appeared in several films and TV series.
Nelly won Grammy Awards in 2002 for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and Best Male Solo Rap Performance, and his “Nellyville” was nominated that year for both Best Rap Album and Album of the Year. He also won a Grammy the following year for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group the following year for “Shake Ya Tailfeather.”