Editing Nelly (section)

=== Misdemeanor drug-offense conviction (2015) ===
In April 2015, the [[Tennessee Highway Patrol]] conducted a [[traffic stop]] of Nelly's [[Prevost Car|Prevost]] tour bus, because of non-conforming [[U.S. Department of Transportation]] and International Fuel Tax Association stickers. He, a bus driver, and four other people were on board. After a state trooper said that he smelled marijuana, the troopers searched the bus and said that they found drug paraphernalia and marijuana, as well as a substance that they initially believed to be methamphetamine and several handguns.<ref name="APArrest">{{cite news |title=Nelly Arrested on Felony Drug Charge While Traveling in Tennessee |url=https://people.com/crime/nelly-arrested-for-meth-in-tennessee/ |work=People |agency=Associated Press |date=2015-04-12 |access-date=2022-05-25}}</ref><ref name="Johnson">Kevin C. Johnson, [https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/music/kevin-johnson/nelly-attorney-issue-statements-on-rapper-s-misdemeanor-guilty-plea/article_345f31aa-3c74-5358-b0c5-1e325098c465.html Nelly, attorney issue statements on rapper's misdemeanor guilty plea], ''St. Louis Post-Dispatch'' (December 15, 2015).</ref> He was initially booked into the [[Putnam County, Tennessee|Putnam County]] Jail and was released on bail.<ref name="APArrest"/>

Nelly was initially charged with felony drug possession, simple possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.<ref name="APArrest"/> After further testing proved that the seized substance was not methamphetamine, the felony charge was dropped.<ref name="Johnson"/> In December 2015, the case was resolved when he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor possession of marijuana and misdemeanor possession of [[drug paraphernalia]], and was sentenced to one year probation.<ref name="Johnson"/> Nelly entered a [[diversion program]],<ref name="Johnson"/> in which the misdemeanor convictions were cleared from his record after 11 months.<ref>Corrine Heller, [http://www.eonline.com/news/645356/nelly-arrested-on-felony-drug-charges-in-tennessee-get-the-details-and-see-his-mug-shot Nelly Cuts Plea Deal on Drug Charges in Tennessee—Get the Details], ''E Online'' (December 14, 2015).</ref>