Nelly was arrested after a woman alleged he sexually assaulted her
Hip-hop star Nelly was arrested Saturday after sexual assault allegations emerged. According to police in Auburn, Washington, Nelly (né Cornell Iral Haynes, Jr.) was booked early Saturday morning after a woman called 911 around 3:48 a.m. to report that she had been raped by the rapper on his tour bus. Nelly was taken into police custody shortly thereafter and later released without charges, pending further investigation.
Nelly, who is currently touring with pop duo Florida Georgia Line, had performed the night before at White River Amphitheatre, just outside of Seattle. Reports suggest Nelly went into the city following the concert, bringing the woman back to his bus.
While the details of what happened next remain unclear, law enforcement arrested Nelly on suspicion of second-degree rape after arriving at the scene, taking him into custody at about 4:30 a.m. He was released about three and a half hours later without charges.
UPDATE: Rapper Nelly has been booked and released without being charged, his lawyer and manager tell USA TODAY https://t.co/0mi3X5AGyq
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) October 7, 2017
Yesterday, Nelly took to Twitter to deny any wrongdoing, expressing his shock at having been “targeted” with what he described as a “false allegation.”
Let me say that I am beyond shocked that I have been targeted with this false allegation. I am completely innocent. I am confident that once the facts are looked at , it will be very clear that I am the victim of a false allegation.
— Nelly_Mo (@Nelly_Mo) October 7, 2017
“Let me say that I am beyond shocked that I have been targeted with this false allegation,” wrote Nelly. “I am completely innocent. I am confident that once the facts are looked at, it will be very clear that I am the victim of a false allegation.”
Nelly went on to apologize to his friends and family “for the embarrassment” and for putting himself “in a situation where I could be victimized.”
I do want to apologize to my loved ones for the embarrassment and for putting myself in a situation where I could be victimized by this false and defaming allegation.
— Nelly_Mo (@Nelly_Mo) October 7, 2017
Later, he reminded his followers that he had not been charged with any crime and was released.
To be absolutely clear. I have not been charged with a crime therefore no bail was required. I was released , pending further investigation.
— Nelly_Mo (@Nelly_Mo) October 7, 2017
The investigation into the incident is still pending.
