5 Shocking Revelations About The Pawn Star Who Pleaded Guilty: Where Is 'Chumlee' Now In 2025?
Austin "Chumlee" Russell: Complete Biography & Profile
Austin Lee Russell, universally recognized as Chumlee, is an American television personality and entrepreneur whose life dramatically changed after achieving global fame on the History Channel's hit show, Pawn Stars. His journey from a childhood friend of the Harrison family to a celebrity with significant legal troubles is a testament to the high-stakes world of reality TV.
- Full Name: Austin Lee Russell
- Nickname: Chumlee
- Date of Birth: September 8, 1982
- Age (as of late 2024/early 2025): 42
- Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Occupation: Reality Television Personality, Businessman, Pawn Shop Employee
- Known For: His appearances on Pawn Stars, often providing comic relief and being the subject of jokes from co-stars Rick Harrison and Corey Harrison.
- Legal Event: 2016 arrest and subsequent guilty plea to drug and weapon charges.
- Current Status: Active on Pawn Stars and owner of a successful Las Vegas business.
- Estimated Net Worth: Approximately $5 million (as of 2025)
The 2016 Arrest: The Felony Plea That Shook Pawn Stars
The entire "pawn star pleads guilty" saga began in March 2016 when Las Vegas police executed a search warrant at Chumlee's home. The warrant was initially related to a sexual assault investigation, though those specific allegations were ultimately not pursued due to insufficient evidence.
During the search, however, police discovered a significant cache of illegal items that led to his arrest and a slew of criminal charges.
The Charges and The Guilty Plea
Chumlee, then 33, faced a total of 20 felony charges. To avoid a lengthy and potentially devastating trial, his legal team negotiated a plea deal. In May 2016, Austin Lee Russell officially pleaded guilty to two specific counts:
- Felony Weapons Charge: Unlawful possession of a firearm.
- Misdemeanor Drug Charge: Attempted possession of a controlled substance (specifically methamphetamine and marijuana were found at his residence).
The guilty plea was a strategic move that allowed the reality star to avoid any jail time. His sentence was three years of probation and mandatory counseling. This plea deal was conditional on him staying out of trouble, with a stern warning that any future legal issues could result in a prison sentence of two to five years.
The Truth Behind the "Goodbye Pawn Stars" Rumor
Following the highly publicized arrest and guilty plea, media outlets and fans instantly assumed that Chumlee’s career on television was over. The narrative of "Goodbye Pawn Stars" became a viral sensation, fueled by the seriousness of the felony charges he admitted to.
However, the reality of his situation, as confirmed by his continued presence on the show in 2024 and 2025, tells a different story.
1. He Never Left the Show
Despite the legal turmoil, Chumlee was never fired from the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop or the Pawn Stars television series. The Harrison family, particularly Rick Harrison, stood by him throughout the ordeal. After successfully completing his three-year probation term in 2019, his legal issues were resolved, allowing him to fully focus on his career without the looming threat of jail time.
2. The Probation Ended in 2019
One of the most common questions in 2025 remains whether Chumlee is still on probation. The answer is no. He was sentenced to three years of probation and counseling, which concluded in 2019. This means that as of today, he is legally clear of the 2016 charges, provided he maintained a clean record during that time.
3. His Role Has Shifted to Entrepreneurship
The legal scare appears to have motivated Austin Russell to diversify his income and build a separate business empire. While he remains a core cast member on Pawn Stars, much of his current financial success comes from his own venture.
In 2017, Chumlee opened his own retail operation directly across from the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in the Pawn Plaza shopping center. This establishment is:
- Chumlee's Candy on the Boulevard: A highly popular Las Vegas candy shop catering to tourists and fans of the show.
This business acumen, combined with his continued salary of an estimated $25,000 per episode of Pawn Stars, is the foundation of his current $5 million net worth. The "Goodbye Pawn Stars" rumor was, in the end, a sensationalized headline that failed to account for the loyalty of his co-stars and his own drive to become a successful businessman.
Detail Author:
- Name : Nicole Fritsch PhD
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- Email : becker.hilbert@denesik.biz
- Birthdate : 1997-11-09
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- Phone : 425.867.7010
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