American rapper Nelly found himself in a peculiar situation after hitting a jackpot at a casino in Missouri. The incident took place at the Hollywood Casino in St. Louis during the early hours of Wednesday morning. Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., was informed by a trooper from the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s gaming division that he needed to provide a background check in order to claim his winnings.
According to Nelly’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum, this request for a background check was unprecedented. Nelly had previously won larger sums of money at the same casino, including a jackpot just a week prior to this incident, without having to go through such procedures. However, despite the lack of previous issues, Nelly was still required to undergo a background check.
During the background check, it was discovered that there was an active warrant for Nelly due to a 2018 incident where he was stopped by the Maryland Heights Police for not having proof of insurance on his vehicle. The officer proceeded to arrest Nelly at 4:45am and paraded him through the gaming floor in front of other patrons.
Rosenblum alleges that the warrant was only issued in December, despite the initial traffic stop occurring in June 2018. Typically, individuals are informed of such warrants and given the opportunity to address them without being arrested. In Nelly’s case, he claims that his client was not made aware of the warrant.
The situation escalated further when the officer searched Nelly without probable cause and found ecstasy tablets in his possession, resulting in additional charges for felony drug possession. Rosenblum maintains that the charges against Nelly are baseless and plans to investigate the actions of the arresting officer.
Despite the legal troubles, Nelly has had a successful music career, winning three Grammy awards and achieving four number-one hits. Some of his popular songs include “Just A Dream” and “Hot in Here.”
This incident is not the first time Nelly has faced issues at a casino. In February 2020, he was involved in a heated argument at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, where he clashed with another individual at his poker table. A video of the confrontation circulated online, showing Nelly getting into a dispute with the pit boss who attempted to defuse the situation.
Overall, Nelly’s recent run-in with the law at the Missouri casino has raised questions about the handling of the situation by law enforcement and the casino staff. Despite his legal troubles, Nelly continues to be a prominent figure in the music industry, with a dedicated fan base and a successful career.