ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - St. Louis-native Cornell Haynes II, better known by his stage name Nelly, will not face charges after he was arrested back in August at a Maryland Heights Casino, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office announced.
"We don't believe the facts in this case warrant the issuing of charges." said the Prosecuting Attorney's Office in a brief statement.
On Aug. 8, Nelly was arrested early in the morning at a casino in Maryland Heights after Missouri Highway Patrol Officers said an officer found Nelly was in possession of four illegal ecstasy pills. Nelly was released later on in the day.
Nelly’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum said in a statement at the time of the arrest, that Nelly often visited the casino frequently. After Nelly had won several casino jackpots and when he sought to collect them, the officer who would have supervised the transaction "needlessly" ran a search for warrants.
The officer then found an outstanding warrant that was on Nelly stemming from June 2018 where Nelly was cited in Maryland Heights for operating a vehicle without proper proof of insurance.
The officer then cuffed Nelly’s hands behind his back and "felt compelled" to "parade him through the casino in front of other customers," Rosenblum said at the time.
Nelly’s attorney called what the officer found “alleged ‘ecstasy’” and said the officer did not have probable cause to justify searching him. Nelly wasn’t notified of the warrant and did not know about it, Rosenblum said.
"I am 100% confident this case will go nowhere," Rosenblum said. "And we will be asking for an inquiry into this officer’s conduct."
The Highway Patrol’s report provided no details about the arrest, and Maryland Heights police did not respond to a call Wednesday seeking comment.
Rosenblum said that in similar circumstances, "any other citizen would have been told to address it and allowed to go on their way."
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 recently wrapped up a series of performances with Janet Jackson as a special guest on her tour.
He 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.”
Beyond his recording career, Nelly has appeared in a number of films and television series, including the sports film “The Longest Yard” and a BET reality series featuring his family. The artist announced in April he was engaged to singer and actor Ashanti and the pair is expecting a baby.
The Associated Press also contributed to this story.