Nelly’s arrest in St. Louis made headlines worldwide on Wednesday (Aug.8) as the entertainer was allegedly charged with lack of insurance and ecstasy possession. However, the entertainer’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum, cleared up misinformation on the arrest and clarified that drug possession was involved in the charges.
Rosenblum told TMZ that Nelly had not been charged with drug possession. The legal team is pushing back against police following his arrest at a Missouri casino, alleging that the rapper was “targeted by an overzealous, out-of-line officer.”
According to the rap star’s attorney, the arrest occurred after Nelly won big at a St. Louis casino. At the Hollywood Casino, the arresting officer reportedly told Nelly that a background check was required before he could receive his winnings. Rosenblum argues that this claim was false, as Nelly had previously won larger jackpots at the same casino without undergoing any background checks.
Rosenblum stated that the officer proceeded with a background check, which revealed an active warrant for no insurance from a previous traffic stop by Maryland Heights Police. Upon learning of the warrant, the officer handcuffed Nelly and led him through the casino in front of other patrons.
Rosenblum claims that law enforcement had no probable cause in Nelly’s arrest. The referred warrant was issued in December for a 2018 traffic stop Nelly had not been notified about.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol, which has troopers from its gaming division at the casino, reported that Nelly was booked for felony drug possession and on a warrant for no vehicle insurance. Rosenblum announced plans to request an inquiry into the arresting officer’s conduct.
Nelly and his wife, Ashanti, are expecting their first child, Nelly’s third.