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Missouri prosecutors say they won’t charge Nelly after a drug bust in August
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Missouri prosecutors say they won’t charge Nelly after a drug bust in August

ST LOUIS — Rapper Nelly will not face drug charges after his arrest this summer at a St. Louis-area casino. Louis, a prosecutor said.

“We do not believe the facts of this case warrant the issuance of charges,” the St. Louis County District Attorney said. Louis, Wesley Bell, in a statement Tuesday.

Nelly, 49, born Cornell Haynes II, grew up in the area. His attorney, Scott Rosenblum, said the search that led to Nelly’s arrest in August was not warranted.

Bell’s office did not explain why the decision was made not to press charges. Rosenblum said in an email Wednesday that Bell’s decision followed “a fair and impartial review of the evidence.”

Nelly was arrested at 4:45 am on August 7th while trying to collect more jackpots, he won them at the Hollywood Casino & Hotel in Maryland Heights, Missouri. A trooper assigned to the casino told Nelly that a search warrant is required when a gambler wins more than a certain amount of money. Rosenblum said no such warrant check is required.

The background check showed a judge issued a warrant in December for a 2018 citation for operating a vehicle without proof of insurance. Due to the outstanding warrant, Nelly was arrested and searched. The officer then allegedly found four ecstasy pills. Officers requested a charge of criminal possession of a controlled substance.

In the meantime, the insurance charge has been resolved. Rosenblum said he was turned away after Nelly provided proof she had car insurance.

Three-time Grammy Award winner Nelly is known for hits like “Hot in Herre” and “Just A Dream.” He had four No. 1 and received nine Billboard Music Awards. He has also appeared in several films and TV series.

Nelly won Grammy Awards in 2002 for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and Best Male Rap Solo Performance, and his “Nellyville” was nominated that year for both Best Rap Album and Best 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”.

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This story has been updated to correct the spelling of “Hot in Herre.”