UPDATE (5/23/16): Austin Lee Russell, better known as "Chumlee" from Pawn Stars, will plead guilty to misdemeanor drug charges, his lawyers said, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Russell's lawyers are set to enter the plea, which would allow the reality TV star to avoid jail time, on June 1.
Russell was facing felony gun and drug possession charges after his Las Vegas home was raided as part of a sexual assault investigation in March. He was not charged with a sex crime. As part of the plea deal, the gun charge will be stayed, although if he fails to complete three years of probation and counseling, he could be found guilty of that charge as well.
The Associated Press reports that records show Russell had "a gallon plastic bag of pot, anxiety medication and a small amount of methamphetamine at his home" in addition to weapons ranging from "registered handguns to a shotgun and assault-style MP5 and .223-caliber rifles that were not registered."
The Review-Journal reported that Russell continues to work at the pawn shop where Pawn Stars is filmed.
See original story from 5/18/16 below.
Reality TV star Chumlee, of Pawn Stars fame, could avoid jail time for drugs and gun charges, according to TMZ. Police arrested Chumlee in March when they found at least one gun in his home, as well as marijuana and methamphetamines. He was charged with 19 counts of drug possession according to Clark County, Nev. jail records.
The 33-year old, whose real name is Austin L. Russell, had a little more than a quarter-pound of marijuana at his Las Vegas home at the time of his arrest, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department records show. Police discovered the drugs and guns at Russell’s house after going there to investigate a sexual assault case, TMZreported.
Citing documents it’s obtained,TMZ reported that Russell will be charged for felony possession of a controlled substance and felony possession of a firearm, however, he won’t face jail time. As a part of a plea deal, he will get probation instead of jail time. A judge, however, hasn't signed off on it yet. Those sources also said the previously mentioned felonies will be lessened to misdemeanors after his probation.
TMZ also reported he won’t face charges for the alleged sexual assault because there wasn’t enough evidence.
