Nobody is immune to the law—not even celebrities. Rapper Nelly, who was scheduled to perform in Washington on October 7, had a run-in with the law the morning of his concert. Police responded to a 911 call from a woman who claimed she was raped on the rapper’s tour bus. They found Nelly on his tour bus outside of a Walmart in Auburn and arrested him.

Nelly—whose real name is Cornell Iral Haynes Jr.—was released from jail that afternoon. He was scheduled to perform that evening with the country music band Florida Georgia Line at the Sunlight Supply Amphitheater. However, those in attendance were disappointed to hear that Nelly would not be performing that night after all. He had performed at White River Amphitheatre in Auburn the night before.

Nelly will face a judge at a date that is still undetermined. He faces second-degree rape charges, which he strongly denies. This isn’t the Grammy winner’s first arrest, though. He was arrested on drug charges in 2015.

Sexual Assault Laws in Washington

According to Washington State Law RCW 9A.44.050, second-degree rape occurs when a person forces someone to have sex with them. It is different from first-degree rape in that no injuries or weapons are involved. Second-degree rape is classified as a Class A felony, which is the most serious type of felony. Penalties include life in prison and fines of up to $50,000.

Nelly could face serious consequences if he is convicted of this crime, and it’s smart that he has a lawyer in place already. It’s not uncommon, however, for celebrities to be wrongly accused of crimes. Many people position themselves as victims in order to sue celebrities for millions of dollars. These people consider this an easy way to get rich, but those who clog up the judicial system with frivolous claims can be charged with fraud.

Get Help for Your Criminal Case

Sexual assault is a serious charge. It is charged as a felony and can result in stiff prison sentences and hefty fines. If you face such charges, it’s important to seek legal help right away.

The criminal defense lawyers at the Nahajski Firm have decades of experience helping those accused of rape and other crimes. We can evaluate your case and offer a solid defense. To learn more about how we can help, schedule a free consultation by contacting the Nahajski Firm at (206) 621-0500.