Grammy-winning rapper Nelly was arrested early Wednesday morning in his hometown of St. Louis on one count of possession of a controlled substance, per online records from the Missouri Highway Patrol .

Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Haynes II, was reportedly gambling at Hollywood Casino and won a jackpot when an officer conducted a criminal records search on the rapper. The officer allegedly found four ecstasy pills on Nellys person while arresting him on charges related to a separate, allegedly outstanding warrant from 2018.

Mr. Haynes was not charged with drug possession, the rappers lawyer, Scott Rosenblum, told Entertainment Tonight in a statement Wednesday . He was arrested for No Proof of Insurance from 2018 on a warrant issued December 2023 that he received no notice. (In fact, Nelly ultimately was charged with drug possession.)

Mr. Haynes was targeted by an overzealous, out of line officer, Rosenblum said.

Rosenblum claimed his client had won several jackpots for similar or greater amounts at the casino before, but that the arresting officer told Nelly a background check was required when a player won over a certain amount.

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, the attorney told ET.

This officer then conducted a search without probable cause where he claimed to have found alleged ecstasy in Mr. Haynes personal property, Rosenblum continued, adding that any other citizen would have been told to address [the warrant] and allowed to go on their way.

The casino declined to comment to HuffPost.