Indiana television viewers might be surprised to know that the man known as “Chumlee” on the History channel’s reality TV show “Pawn Stars” was arrested on March 9 by Las Vegas police and charged with drug and weapons offences. The charges involve evidence discovered by officers while they were at his residence to serve a separate warrant for sexual assault.
According to information released by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, officers came across the illegal drugs methamphetamine and marijuana while serving the sexual assault warrant at the 33-year-old Austin Russell’s home, as well as a firearm. He was then taken into custody and transported to the Clark County Detention Center in downtown Las Vegas where he was booked on charges of drug possession and being a “prohibited person in possession of a firearm”, which is considered a felony offense. Under Nevada law, it is a felony for certain kinds of people to own or possess a firearm. However, due to an ongoing investigation, no criminal charges have yet been brought against Russell regarding the initial sexual assault case that brought the police to his home in the first place.
Russell, who has had the nickname “Chumlee” since childhood, has been one of the four star cast members of “Pawn Stars”since the show began in June 2009. The show takes place in Las Vegas.
In the state of Nevada, convictions for drug crimes such as possession or trafficking can have serious consequences. Additionally, the consequences can be even more severe when they involve firearms. However, in certain cases, criminal defense attorneys can sometimes negotiate with prosecutors on a client’s behalf for reduced charges or reduced sentences.