Austin Lee Russell, best known to television audiences as Chumlee from the hit reality series Pawn Stars, is on the verge of avoiding prison time thanks to a plea agreement reached in connection with a criminal case that began after a dramatic police raid on his Las Vegas home in March.
According to court filings and statements made during a recent hearing, Russell will plead guilty to a single count of attempted possession of a controlled substance. In exchange, he will agree to surrender all of the drugs and firearms seized during the search, comply with a strict three-year probation period, and participate in mandatory counseling or treatment programs as directed. These terms are designed to resolve the case without incarceration while ensuring accountability and rehabilitation. The incident that sparked the case took place on March 9, when police executed a search warrant at Russell’s residence.
During the raid, officers reportedly confiscated 12 firearms, a gallon-sized bag of marijuana, a small quantity of methamphetamine, and prescription anti-anxiety medications, including Xanax. While the search was initially conducted under a warrant related to a sexual assault investigation, authorities later confirmed that Russell was never charged in connection with that allegation, and the inquiry into that matter ended without further legal action. As a result, the focus of the prosecution shifted entirely to the drug and weapons-related offenses uncovered during the raid. Under the plea agreement, a key provision allows for the felony weapons charge to be conditionally dismissed, but this leniency comes with strict requirements.
If Russell completes the full term of his probation without incident, complies with all mandated conditions, and avoids any additional legal trouble, the felony charge will be dropped by 2019, leaving only a misdemeanor conviction on his record. This would significantly reduce the long-term legal consequences for Russell, who has built a public persona as the quirky, good-natured sidekick on Pawn Stars. However, the deal is not without risk—if he fails to meet the conditions of probation or is arrested for any new offense, he would face a prison sentence ranging from two to five years on the felony weapons count.
Legal experts note that the agreement represents a pragmatic solution for both sides: the state secures a conviction and ensures Russell undergoes supervision and treatment, while the defendant avoids the uncertainty and potential severity of a trial verdict. The court has set June 1 as the date when Russell will formally enter his guilty plea before the Clark County District Court. At that hearing, the judge will determine whether to approve the terms of the plea deal.
If approved, Russell will begin serving his probation immediately, adhering to the stipulated requirements, including the forfeiture of all seized items, abstaining from illegal drug use, attending counseling sessions, and checking in regularly with probation officers. The conditions are intended not only to address the offenses in question but also to encourage long-term behavioral change and ensure compliance with the law moving forward. For Russell, who has spent years in the public eye as part of the History Channel’s popular pawn shop series, the case marks a significant personal and professional challenge.
The outcome of the June hearing will determine whether he can put the legal troubles behind him with minimal damage to his record or if he will face the much harsher reality of prison time. While fans of the show may recognize him for his humor and laid-back demeanor, the resolution of this case will depend entirely on his ability to meet the court’s conditions over the next several years, with the possibility of walking away with only a misdemeanor if he stays on the right path.
