News broke Thursday that “Pawn Stars” co-star Austin “Chumlee” Russell was arrested on 19 counts of drug possession and, at least, one weapon charge.
Now, after meeting a $62,000 bail, Russell and his lawyers say they plan to fight all charges, according to USA Today.
Defense attorney David Chesnoff said on Thursday that he’s “looking forward to the truthful conclusion” of the case against Russell.
Police were serving a warrant for a sexual assault complaint when they found marijuana, methamphetamines, and a weapon at the 33-year-old’s home in Las Vegas, NV.
Russell has yet to be charged with any sexual assault crimes, but police say the matter remains under investigation, according to the New York Daily News.
Unfortunately, as USA Today also reports, “no one is too clear on the details or too eager to clear things up.” The police have been silent on the particulars surrounding the sexual assault complaint, the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop where Russell worked is not answering phone calls, and the History Channel has remained silent.
Russell rose to stardom after appearing on History Channel’s reality TV show “Pawn Stars,” which, according to the show’s website, follows the “Harrison family-owned Gold & Silver Pawn Shop on the outskirts of Las Vegas, where three generations of men — grandfather Richard, son Rick and grandson Corey — entertainingly clash through their differences to jointly run the business.”
Russell is depicted as Corey’s long-time best friend and described on Gold & Silver Pawn’s website as a “comic, philosopher, and artist”. He is the “best definition of an accidental celebrity to ever come across the media. After all, what is it he is famous for? He loves his sneakers, his caps, his designer duds, his family and his friends and maybe a little music, too.”
Rick Harrison, the owner of Gold & Silver Pawn and the star of the show, told Fox411 that they will be “here to help Chumlee any way we can.”
The show frequently features antique firearms, weapons, and armor, including rare muskets, flintlock pistols, and sporting rifles.
It’s unclear whether police found one gun, as reported by most major news sources, or “numerous guns,” as Las Vegas Metro Officer Larry Hadfield stated following the arrest. It is clear, however, that—unfortunately for Russell—the guns were not antique.
Russell’s court date has been set for May 23.
(Editor’s note: This article was a submission from freelance writer Jordan Michaels.)
WHY are you wasting my time with two year old stories???? This is pathetic!
Sexual assault is probably the only way Chumlee can get laid!
Lighten up. He probably comes across all kinds of guns and contraban from the pawn shop. People offering all kinds of stuff to him including drugs . Of course some of it winds up in his house I don’t agree with the drugs but it could just be pot. Working in that store is like a kid in a candy store. Ask any guy.
i’m not sticking up for the guy but the press has a bad habit of blowing this shit way out of proportion when it’s a kind of star,plus they say sex charges but won’t say what,it sounds like someone had a bone to pick with the chum-bum and made up the sex angle to search his place,wait and watch.
O.K., so saying this guy isn”t the sharpest tool in the shed is pretty obvious. He’s still entitled to due process.
One wonders why get a warrant in the 1st place. I would imagine they would just go to his work, question/arrest him. Unless the man has detachable parts, the “Sexual Assault Weapon” was likely on his person and not at home.
Smells like a fishing expedition to me.
I don’t know why they keep that idiot on the show. All he does is screw things up and break expensive items. Like the Bowling Machine , the expensive vase, the Bob Dylan Album. Should have run his ass down the road a long time ago. Must need comic relief around.
They keep him on for laughs, and the producers probably set up most of his spectacles for ratings!
now LET ME THINK…………..SEXUAL ASSAULT if my weak memory is correct wasn’t there a “STAR” of another show that had something to do with guns ? ! and sex charges ! oh yes it was RED JACKET , what the HELL is wrong with these actors ? ? ? Do they think because they have there name on a parking space they are above everyone else ? ? WELL DO THEY ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Chumlee. Webster’s example of a simple minded Putz.
This news report leaves a lot to be desired. Either he had one weapon or several. Which is it? And why is possession of a weapon (unless it is an unregistered, fully automatic machine gun, or a rifle or shotgun with a barrel length below the legal limit for NV) a crime? Unless, of course, he is a convicted felon… ? The news report is lacking in detail, so who knows?
Yeah, “laking” is usual these day’s, eh.
Almost useless to misinform or leave out parts of the picture.
Of course they’re catering to the a market of Far-Left wing-nuts these day who don’t require facts ~!
“…Far-Left wing-nuts who don’t require facts ~!” Yup, like Trump supporters.
The low IQ simple minded person takes a large group of people and attachs the exact same traits and beliefs to all those people because it is easy–it takes thought to add intelligent comments to the issue. It must be hard to add “yeah, you all suck, and you’re racists and whatever that sign said also. Wheeew, we told them – high five me man, we got em all good.”
History Channel may be wise to review their commitment to the show. Seem to remember another cast member was apprehended some time back for being
Intoxicated in public.
The warrant was for sexual assault, but he hasn’t even been charged with that, so the circumstances that were used to obtain the warrant seem suspicious. If true, that they lied to get the warrant, then all of these other charges get dropped.
You don’t want to get arrested for a felony in Nevada, as you will go to prison. Ain’t that right O.J.?
Well, the drug and firearm charges appear to stem from a warrant being served for sexual assault. At least that is what I get out of this. I sure hope he is innocent of that, and wish him luck. After all, if he is anything like he appears to be on the program, he doesn’t really appear to have all his stirrups on his saddle. So I hope (if his assault charge is just a trumped up claim from some lady hoping to sue, and was not a real deal) he gets a little slack cut. After all, Barry just got through telling all of us how he wants slack cut to all those guys in the pen he met with last year on dope/weapon charges who were just “…victims” of the legal system. Chum Lee sure doesn’t appear on my Gansta’ radar. He just (if it ain’t an act) appears to me to be about half simple.
…Got Pardons?
Why is it unfortunate that the guns were not antique? I’m not familiar with Nv law, but possession of a gun is not any sort of a violation…..maybe it’s possession while having dope??? Enlighten us on this and stop making it sound like a firearms issue! Bottom line though? Chumless is a f’n moron, caught up with his fame and fortune and like so many celebs before him, he has turned to dope to “get chicks” and to convince himself that he is something special and far superior to the rest of us…….He will be another shooting star that burns out!
I also don’t understand the gun issue. At least for now we are still allowed to own guns. Guess I need some enlightenment also.
It would be a problem if when the gun(s) were purchased Chumlee swore that he was not a user of illegal drugs. I realize possession does not constitute using, that is – as Bill Clinton says – it depends on how define the word use.
The gun issue is the fact that he was in possession of a firearm(s) while having the drugs. The one criminalizes the other. But an “antique” is nut considered a “firearm.”
Antique firearms (including modern manufactured reproductions) are nut considered “guns.” It’s crazy. Example; Buy two M1891 Argentine Mauser rifles- one a Leowes and the other a DMW manufactured. Functionally and cosmetically identical. The DNW will have to be shipped to an FFL. The Leowes can be shipped right to your house. The difference is the dates of manufacture. The DMW is a “firearm” the Leowes an “antique.”*
* There are variables including dates of manufacture based upon serial numbers that affect the scenario that I did not bother to include to simplify matters.) Also, many dealers will not chance trouble on principle and will insist on only shipping to an ffl but that is only a case of CYA.
Antique firearms are contraband to felons in many states. The drugs could have been a roommate’s or a visitor’s. If he is not a felon, why would the police even be interested in the firearms at this time? Has he been accused of something violent?
Chumlee is an idiot, and the main reason I no longer watch the show, but you are right about antiques. I recently purchased a replica 1860 BP revolver. No background check no hassle whatsoever, and I also purchased separately a cylinder for that pistol in .45 Long Colt. So I now have a .45 Long Colt pistol… easy peasy.
Chumlee’s only hope now is to meet up with Tennessee Tuxedo. “Chumlee, we’re going over the wall, to see Mr. Whoopie.”