A criminal case against rapper Nelly has been resolved through a plea agreement that eliminates assault charges related to an altercation with casino security personnel last summer.
According to court documents, a hearing was conducted on Tuesday, April 29, 2026, addressing charges stemming from a July 14, 2025, incident at the Ameristar Casino in St. Charles, Missouri. The parties reached a negotiated resolution in which prosecutors dropped the assault charge against the entertainer.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Nelly was instead charged with misdemeanor littering related to trash he discarded at the casino facility. The rapper agreed to pay a $750 fine as part of the settlement. A judge approved the judgment and sentence, bringing the matter to a close.
The original incident occurred when a security guard at the casino requested that Nelly present his player's card before accessing a restricted section of the establishment. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol report filed at the time, the guard alleged that Nelly responded by shoving him before proceeding into the area without authorization.
The entertainer was formally charged with misdemeanor assault in September 2025, approximately two months after the alleged confrontation. Nelly immediately denied the allegations through his representative, who characterized the incident as a misunderstanding involving an overzealous security employee.
"Nelly was stunned to receive a summons from a two-month-old incident where an overzealous guard blocked his path and invaded his space," the representative stated at the time. "Nelly guided him aside with minimal contact and no harm. Management later apologized and welcomed Nelly back [to the casino]."
The resolution represents a significant reduction in potential consequences for the artist. While assault charges can carry more serious penalties and potential jail time, the littering violation is a minor misdemeanor offense resolved through a monetary fine. The plea agreement allows Nelly to avoid a criminal conviction for assault while accepting responsibility for the lesser charge.
Security footage of the incident was reportedly obtained, though the details of what the video showed were not disclosed in court proceedings. The case highlights the complex dynamics that can arise in entertainment venues when celebrity patrons interact with security personnel tasked with enforcing facility policies.
The Ameristar Casino in St. Charles is a popular gaming and entertainment destination in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The facility regularly hosts high-profile guests and maintains security protocols for different areas of the casino floor, including sections reserved for players with specific membership levels.