‘Pawn Stars’ Fan Favorite Chumlee Arrested on Gun Charges after Raid
OutdoorHub Reporters 03.10.16
Austin Lee Russell, better known to the fans of History’s Pawn Stars, was arrested on Wednesday for 20 counts of drug possession and possession of a gun by a prohibited person. The arrest occurred after a raid on Russel’s residence when police were serving a search warrant in connection to a sexual assault investigation.
According to the Las Vegas Police Department, officers found the reality TV star in possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, and firearms. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that police have not specified why Russel is prohibited from owning a firearm, and a search of his public records only showed that Russel had minor traffic offenses in the past. Police say Russel has not been charged with any sex-crime allegation.
Russel plays the comic foil on the hit television show Pawn Stars, which revolves around the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas. Opened by Rick Harrison and Richard Benjamin Harrison in 1989, the pawn shop quickly grew in popularity after the release of the show’s first season in 2009, even prompting a wave of other programs focused on pawn shops and bartering. Russel, or Chumlee, as he is referred to in the show, became a breakout character for his approachable personality and down-to-earth attitude. Following the popularity of the show, Russel started his own merchandising brand. His areas of expertise are video games, sneakers, and pinball machines.
Understandably, Russel’s fans are alarmed by his recent arrest and the implications that came with it. According to Fox News, bail has been set at $62,000. Fellow Pawn Stars cast members, such as Rick Harrison, pledged their support.
“We don’t have details yet but we are here to help Chumlee any way we can,” Harrison told Fox News in an email.
