Nelly denied a Missouri security guard’s claim that the rapper shoved him, Luxury Handbag Shopping can exclusively report.
The entertainer’s rep tells Us, “Nelly was stunned to receive a summons from a two-month-old incident where an overzealous guard blocked his path and invaded his space.”
“Nelly guided him aside with minimal contact and no harm. Management later apologized and welcomed Nelly back [to the casino],” the rep added.
On September 4, prosecutors filed a misdemeanor assault charge against Nelly (real name: Cornell Haynes Jr).
The charge stems from an incident on July 15, when the Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to a call at 8:45 p.m. A security guard at the Ameristar Casino called the police over an incident with Nelly.
“The security officer stated he wanted to press charges and was on his way to the Missouri Gaming Commission office to give a statement,” the officer wrote in the report.
The document noted, “The security guard was not injured.”
Per the report, the security guard claimed he asked Nelly, 50, to show his player’s card at the casino. Nelly allegedly “responded that he did not have his card and proceeded to enter.”
“The security officer stepped in front of [Nelly] to get him to stop and inform him he could not use this entrance without a card,” court docs said. “[Nelly] pushed the security officer and entered the gaming floor.” The report alleged Nelly shoved the guard “in the chest with his right hand, balled in a fist and proceed[ed] through the turnstile.
Us obtained a copy of the security footage where Nelly and the guard can be seen interacting. The video appears to show the guard coming extremely close to Nelly before he walks into the casino.
A hearing has been scheduled for October.
A rep for the St. Charles County Government prosecutors tells Us, “Mr. Haynes was issued a summons and must appear in court.” They told Us Nelly will have to go to the jail for pictures and fingerprints but “will be immediately released.” The rep said no bond will be required.
Back in November 2024, Missouri prosecutors announced they would not be charging Nelly over an August 2024 incident at the Hollywood Casino in St. Charles, Missouri.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to the 2024 incident too.
Per reports, Nelly was asked to show his ID by the police at the casino. The police ran his license and they discovered he had active warrants stemming from a previous traffic stop. He was released from custody after posting bond.
Nelly’s lawyer Scott Rosenblum claimed the artist was “targeted by an … out-of-line officer” after “winning several jackpots” at the casino.
“Instead of just supervising the transfer of Mr. Haynes’ winnings, this officer felt compelled to needlessly run a check for warrants,” the lawyer said. “The officer informed Mr. Haynes that a background check was mandated when a player won over a certain amount.”
After prosecutors announced they would not be bringing charges against Nelly, Rosenblum released a statement about the victory.
He added, “Once Mr. Haynes was informed of the warrant for a No Proof of Insurance infraction, this officer felt compelled to handcuff Mr. Haynes behind his back and parade him through the casino in front of other patrons.”
Rosenblum released a statement that read, “It is my understanding that [St. Louis County prosecuting attorney] Wesley Bell and his office looked at all the circumstances and after a fair and impartial review of the evidence, declined to prosecute.”
Nelly married singer Ashanti in December 2023. The couple welcomed a son named Kareem Haynes in July 2024.
