Rapper Nelly's Lawyer Says Drug Charges 'Will Be Expunged Entirely'
The rapper has good news after drugs were found on his tour bus back in April.
— -- The charges against Nelly were reduced Friday after the rapper appeared in a Tennessee courtroom for an April incident in which drugs were found on his tour bus.
Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Haynes, was arrested back in April after a state trooper allegedly smelled marijuana when he stopped a coach bus that didn't have proper stickers displayed in its windows, the Tennessee Highway Patrol said. Troopers found "crystal-type rocks that tested positive for methamphetamine" as well as marijuana, drug paraphernalia and handguns during their search.
Brian Jones, 44 -- who was allegedly found to be in possession of a handgun -- was also arrested, but his charges were later dismissed due to his clean criminal history. Four others were released.
District Attorney Bryant Dunaway told reporters outside of the courtroom Friday that after an investigation, it was discovered that the "rocks" substance wasn't meth so the felony charge of drug possession was dropped.
ABC News tried to reach Dunaway today, but did get a response.
A lawyer for the 41-year-old rapper, Scott Rosenblum, told ABC News today that he expects the other misdemeanor drug charges -- simple possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia -- to be dropped as well.
Although Rosenblum previously admitted to ABC News that a small quantity of MDMA, a drug best known as ecstasy or Molly, was discovered during the search, he said today that he knew the felony charge would eventually be dropped.
"We're really pleased with the outcome and we were confident all along that there was never going to be a serious offence that could be proven," he added, before clarifying reports that the rapper entered a guilty plea.
"There was no need to enter a plea," Rosenblum told ABC News. "He was placed on diversion ... [the misdemeanor charges] will eventually be expunged from his record entirely."
In a statement to ABC News, Nelly thanked Rosenblum for his efforts. "I would like to thank my attorney Scott Rosenblum and the people of Tennessee for a very fair outcome!"