Rapper Nelly is ARRESTED for alleged drug possession near St. Louis after casino visit

The rapper Nelly was arrested early Wednesday morning for alleged drug possession.

The 49-year-old Hot In Herre hitmaker — real name: Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. — was arrested around 4:45 a.m., according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s arrest report, via FOX 2 News.

He was taken into custody in Maryland Heights, an outer suburb of St. Louis, Missouri, after police allegedly discovered four ecstasy pills on him.

Nelly — who was revealed in June to have secretly married the singer Ashanti last year — was also arrested for driving without insurance. He was reportedly released later on Wednesday. 

Despite the police report, an attorney for Nelly denied that Nelly was charged with drug possession in a statement to DailyMail.com.

The rapper Nelly was arrested early Wednesday morning for alleged drug possession and not having car insurancwe, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s arrest report, via FOX 2 News

Police allegedly found four ecstasy pills on him, but Nelly's attorney denied that he was charged with possession in a statement to DailyMail.com; pictured in his mug shot from the Maryland Heights Police Department

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.

But in a blistering statement to DailyMail.com, Nelly's attorney Scott Rosenblum denied that this client had been charged with felony drug possession and criticized 'overzealous' police for the run-in.

According to Rosenblum, Nelly had won a jackpot at a casino he frequents regularly that's connected to a venue he has performed at in the past. 

When he tried to collect his winnings, the officer who would have supervised the transfer allegedly told the rapper he had to run a background check on him. 

However, Nelly believed this to be false — or at least inconsistently applied — as he had allegedly won similar or larger jackpots at the same establishment on previous occasions without having to undergo a background check to collect.

The attorney claimed that other people in a similar situation would have been told to take care of the warrant, rather than being handcuffed and 'paraded' through the casino, as he says Nelly was. 

Rosenblum also alleges that the officer had no probable cause to search Nelly, which resulted in the alleged ecstasy finding.

Notably, the attorney said that Nelly has to prove there aren't active warrants out on him when he travels internationally, and he claims this hasn't been an issue previously.

'I am 100 percent confident this case will go nowhere. And we will be asking for an inquiry into this officer's conduct,' Rosenblum concluded.

The rapper was allegedly arrested after an officer performed a background check on him after he won a jackpot at a casino near St. Louis; pictured in November 2023 in Miami, Florida

He was then reportedly transferred to the custody of the Maryland Heights Police Department, where he was arrested on a failure to appear warrant. But his attorney claims he shouldn't have been arrested and that the officer had no probable cause to search him; seen 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

Earlier this summer, Nelly was reported to have married 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. 

Nelly are 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. 

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.'

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

The couple dated from 2003 to 2013 before going their separate ways. 

Then, in 2021, Nelly and Ashanti ran into each other at Fat Joe and Ja Rule's Verzuz battle.

The 49-year-old 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.'