Rapper Nelly was arrested Saturday and now faces felony drug charges. However, defense attorney Scott Rosenblum is already declaring that when the “facts” of the case are fully known to the public, the 40-year-old rapper will be completely exonerated.
What is known about the case is the St. Louis, Mo. native’s tour bus was stopped on Saturday morning at around 9:20 a.m. on Interstate 40 in Putnam County, Tenn. According to the USA Today , the officer stopped the vehicle because it wasn’t displaying a U.S. Department of Transportation sticker or International Fuel Tax Association sticker. These items are required by law.
During the stop, state troopers said they could smell marijuana coming from Nelly’s bus, at which point they performed a search. The officers found five “colored crystal-type rocks” which were later identified as methamphetamine; a small amount marijuana, related drug paraphernalia, and several handguns were also discovered. The Johnson City Press reports that among the weapons found were a gold-plated.50-caliber Desert Eagle pistol, a.45-caliber Tarus pistol, and a 500-magnum Smith and Wesson.
Nelly Arrested on Drug Charges http://t.co/I8V0IDC4WX pic.twitter.com/OXEd1Tu9VT
— Rap-Up (@RapUp) April 12, 2015
Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Haynes, was arrested and charged with felony possession of drugs, simple possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. A 44-year-old man named Brian Jones, a fellow native of St. Louis, was also arrested and charged.
Rosenblum says that the “Hot In Herre” rapper will likely be cleared of the charges against him. The attorney released a statement on the case through publicist Juliette Harris.
“We are extremely confident that when the facts come out, Nelly will not be associated with the contraband that was allegedly discovered.”
This ugly matter is something of a deja vu situation for Nelly, who was arrested on drug charges back in 2012. He was taken into custody in West Texas at a border patrol checkpoint. At that time heroin, marijuana, and a loaded gun were discovered on the rapper’s tour bus. A member of the entourage claimed ownership of the items in question and was arrested. Nelly and the others were released soon afterward.
Rapper Nelly arrested on tour bus for drug and firearm offences http://t.co/EcA51KzQz7 pic.twitter.com/IFtaWB5erT
— Metro (@MetroUK) April 13, 2015
In addition to drug and guns, Tennessee troopers also located nearly 100 small zip lock bags that are commonly associated with the sale of narcotics. However, no one on the bus was charged with the sale of drugs.
Nelly was released from Putnam County Jail on a $10,000 bond; he is expected to appear in court to answer felony drug charges against him on June 19.
Do you believe Nelly is guilty or will he be cleared of all charges as his lawyer claims?
[Image Credit: Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for Nightclub & Bar Media Group]
