Nelly Faces Felony Drug Charges in Tennessee but Attorney Says He’ll Be Exonerated
On Saturday, April 11th, rapper and reality TV star Nelly was arrested on felony drug charges after a search of his tour bus in Tennessee revealed he carried methamphetamines, a small amount of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.
“Approximately 100 small Ziploc bags that are commonly associated with the sale of narcotics,” according to police reports.
His tour bus was pulled over by Tennessee Highway Patrol, who said that the bus failed to display a proper U.S. Department of Transportation and International Fuel Tax Association sticker. Troopers said they found several handguns along with the drugs, which can be added to the felony drug charges.
The 40 year old rap star, whose real name is Cornell Haynes, released the following statement through Instagram: “Although I am unable to speak to the legal specifics and my attorney has put out a preliminary statement, I feel the need to take responsibility for my choices in needing to be more aware of all the people I associate with and allow onto my property while committing to making better choices moving forward. While my instinct, of course, is to be accessible to my friends, fans and acquaintances, the last thing I would want to do is compromise the respect and admiration of friends, family and fans. #KNOWDAT!!!!”
Previously, Nelly’s attorney released a statement on the drug charges, saying, “Nelly was one of several individuals that was on a tour bus that was stopped and searched while traveling through Tennessee. In fact, there had been 15-20 people that had access to the bus prior to the stop. Allegedly, a small quantity of contraband (MDMA aka Molly or Ecstasy) was discovered during the routine search. We are extremely confident that when the facts come out, Nelly will not be associated with the contraband that was allegedly discovered.”
Although the bus belonged to Nelly and he could still face drug charges for being associated with the drugs, drug dealers, or paraphernalia, the charges could be downgraded if he can argue that the drugs did not belong to him and he did not know about their existence.
Unfortunately, for celebrities, criminal problems like drug charges can be more serious because of media and law enforcement bias. However, fame or fortune are not reasons for a suspect to suffer harsher criminal consequences if they are not guilty.
Drug Charges and Offenses in South Carolina
Drug offenses incorporate a wide range of various drug-related crimes, some of which include:
- Cultivation
- Manufacturing
- Prescription fraud
- Trafficking
- Possession
- Possession with intent to distribute
South Carolina has some of the stiffest drug penalties in the country, including for simple possession of marijuana. If you are found to have drugs on your property, whether they belong to you or not, you could face a long jail sentence, steep fines, and damage to your reputation because of the drug charges in South Carolina.
The Strom Law Firm Defends You Against Drug Charges
If you or a loved one face drug charges, from state to federal, from misdemeanor to felony, you could feel like you are automatically guilty, but you still have rights in the court room. The South Carolina criminal defense attorneys at the Strom Law Firm understand how scary felony drug charges can be. We offer a free case evaluation to discuss your situation, so contact us today for help. 803.252.4800
