The man known to millions of cable TV viewers as Chumlee on the reality show “Pawn Stars” was being held late Wednesday in a Las Vegas jail following his arrest on felony weapon and drug charges.
Austin Lee Russell, 33, was taken into custody when officers serving a search warrant in a sexual assault investigation found methamphetamine, marijuana and at least one gun at his southwest Las Vegas home, police said in a statement.
Russell wasn’t booked on a sex-crime allegation. Officer Larry Hadfield, a department spokesman, said that part of the investigation stemmed from a recent complaint by a woman, and it is continuing.
Russell was being held pending an initial court appearance on 19 drug-possession charges and one weapon charge, according to Clark County Detention Center records. His bail was set at $62,000.
It wasn’t immediately clear if Russell had a lawyer.
A man who answered the phone at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop on Las Vegas Boulevard said he had no information about the arrest. A follow-up voicemail message was not returned.
A spokesman for A&E Network and the History Channel declined by email to comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Wonder if he will still keep his job at the pawn shop?
I always knew he thought he was something special to the world.Quit watching this show along time ago.Way to go Dumbly.
It’s been a while since I’ve watched that show. The regulars on the show make no claim to be saints and watching the show doesn’t give me the impression that they are. Pawn Stars is a reality show for those who don’t want to watch the melodrama of something like the Bachelor or Bachelorette.
I agree with this! I like the show because I get to see some artifacts and their value! I have some of the things I have bought over the years. Chum lete is not my favorite part the show but you would think he would move faster than he does if he is taking amphetamines!
Apparently marijuana completely negates the effects of meth.
Chumlee owns a few assault rifles, I’ve seen it on the show.
I like the Pawn Stars show. The keep it relatively lively and its actually quite informative if one watches the show and enjoys learning trivia. They do a good job of explaining about the historical significance of many of the quirky items folks bring in to sell.
Chumlee seems to be a real character. A likeable, lazy, zero-ambition guy who is kept around mostly for his comic value.
The one guy who absolutely grates on my nerves is Rick’s obnoxious, rude and disrespectful son. His perpetual bad attitude and lofty ego does nothing of value to the show.
Oh well, now I’m curious what ol’ Chumlee actually is charged with.
i liked the show but hated the two boys as they send the wrong message to the kids that tune in they have no respect for there elders ,i would have fired them along time ago .they need to put him away for a while and take corey with him.
Chum is innocent until proven guilty, please do not forget that. Some day you may have your day in court. Regarding their diverse personality issues they’re what makes the show work.
IF HE GOES TO JAIL FOR 10 TO 20 YEARS THAT WILL BE ONE LESS PIECE OF SH-T
ON TV AND THERE MANY THAT NEED TO GO.
We enjoy the show! Love Rick and The Old Man! Rick’s Son needs an attitude adjustment! He needs to go to work with someone else and when he is older, he would appreciate what his Dad and his Grandad has worked to give him! Disappointed in Chumlee!! I felt he was trying hard to educate himself in the business. I guess now he will learn how it is to be incarcerated. SAD!!!