Rapper Nelly, born Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., has been arrested for alleged sexual assault in Auburn, Washington, after a woman said he raped her on his tour bus after a concert on Friday night.
"At 3:48 a.m. a female called 911 to report that she was sexually assaulted by a male, who is known as the rapper 'Nelly'," announced Auburn Police Department in a press release.
"The alleged assault was reported to occur on the tour bus that was parked at the listed location. Nelly had performed at the White River Amphitheater just hours before," it continued.
The location, 762 Outlet Collection Drive, is for a Walmart parking lot, located about 10 miles from the concert venue.
After officers investigated the complaint, Nelly was arrested at 4:37 a.m. and taken to the SCORE jail facility in Des Moines, Washington, where he was booked, said Auburn police.
Nelly's lawyer, Scott Rosenblum, told BuzzFeed News that Nelly had been "released pending investigation" from jail, and clarified that his client had not been charged.
Nelly, 42, who gained fame in the early 2000s with his songs "Hot in Herre" and "Country Grammar," is booked to perform in Ridgefield, Washington, on Saturday night.
That concert will go ahead as planned, "as far as I know," said Rosenblum.
In a statement to TMZ, who first reported the allegations about Nelly, Rosenblum denied the rape accusation, calling it "completely fabricated":
Nelly is the victim of a completely fabricated allegation. Our initial investigation, clearly establishes the allegation is devoid of credibility and is motivated by greed and vindictiveness. I am confident, once the scurrilous accusation is thoroughly investigated, there will be no charges. Nelly is prepared to pursue all all legal avenues to redress any damage caused by this clearly false allegation.
When asked to explain his comment about the allegation being "motivated by greed and vindictiveness," Rosenbum told BuzzFeed News: "I believe the facts will support that."
A reporter for Washington's Q13 Fox News, Brandi Kruse, posted a picture of the jail booking for Nelly, showing the charge as rape in the second degree.
BREAKING: Here is the jail booking for Nelly, real name Cornell Iral Haynes, Jr. he was booked at 6:39am PST.… https://t.co/vO2afhcarc
Kruse noted that the woman told Auburn Police she had just met Nelly after his show and was later sexually assaulted by him on his tour bus.
Per Auburn PD, Nelly, real name Cornell Haynes, Jr., met a woman in Seattle after show and brought her back to tour bus. #Q13FOX (1/2)
The woman claims Haynes (Nelly) sexually assaulted her on the tour bus. Auburn PD felt there was probable cause to arrest him. #Q13FOX
In a series of tweets Saturday night, the rapper said that he was "beyond shocked" by the allegations, and proclaimed his innocence.
Let me say that I am beyond shocked that I have been targeted with this false allegation. I am completely innocent.… https://t.co/tzd5XYEiD0
I do want to apologize to my loved ones for the embarrassment and for putting myself in a situation where I could b… https://t.co/QhKryZwJ1O
In other words y'all know damm well I ain't do no dumm S^*t like this..!! Love ..!!!!
To be absolutely clear. I have not been charged with a crime therefore no bail was required. I was released , pending further investigation.
Following Saturday's incident, Nelly did not perform at a show scheduled Saturday night at the Sunlight Supply Amphitheater in Ridgefield, Washington, according to KATU.