Nelly Was Targeted By A Bad Cop, Wasn't Really Arrested For Drugs, Says Lawyer

More information is coming in on Nelly being arrested in Missouri for possession of ecstasy and driving without insurance.

His attorney Scott Rosenblum released a statement and said he was the victim of an overzealous officer who had it out for him, all because he won a jackpot at the Hollywood Casino in St. Charles.

"Mr. Haynes was not charged with drug possession" said Rosenblum, referencing Nelly's real name Cornell Haynes. "He was arrested for 'No Proof of Insurance' from 2018 on a warrant issued December 2023 that he received no notice. Mr. Haynes was targeted by an overzealous, out of line officer. 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."

He 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 ... This officer then conducted a search without probable cause where he claimed to have found alleged 'ecstasy' in Mr. Haynes' personal property. 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."

Rosenblum said he's confident the case will be thrown out, and he'll be making a complaint about the officer.