Nelly’s lawyer claims rapper was targeted by police following arrest
The attorney for Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Iral Haynes, has argued the rapper was targeted by an “overzealous” police officer who arrested him for possession of drugs following a background check from 2018.
The musician was pulled over by the police in Missouri on August 8th, due to driving a vehicle without insurance. However, the arrest led to officials discovering he was also in possession of ecstasy pills at the time.
Prior to his arrest, Haynes had been at the Hollywood Casino and Hotel in the St. Louis area, where he reportedly enjoyed winning “several jackpots.” According to his lawyer, the officer who carried out the arrest “felt compelled to needlessly run a check for warrants,” which he did instead of “supervising the transfer of winnings.”
After the officer claimed he would be doing a background check first, he discovered an outstanding warrant from 2018 about driving without insurance. Haynes’ lawyer then claims the rapper was handcuffed in the middle of the casino in front of the public.
The rapper’s legal team claims he was searched without probable cause and is calling for an enquiry into the officer’s conduct.
Haynes’ lawyer explained in a statement: “After winning several jackpots, at a venue where Mr. Haynes [Nelly] 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.”
They continued: “I am 100 per cent confident this case will go nowhere. And we will be asking for an inquiry into this officer’s conduct.” He also said that Haynes is “a frequent traveler and is “regularly asked to supply proof of no warrants, including FBI checks.”
Haynes has yet to comment on the recent arrest.