'Chumlee' of 'Pawn Stars' released on bail

LAS VEGAS  — The lawyer representing Pawn Stars reality TV personality "Chumlee" says he'll fight felony weapon and drug charges — and sex assault allegations if they're filed.

Defense attorney David Chesnoff told The Associated Press on Thursday that he's "looking forward to the truthful conclusion" of the case against Austin Lee Russell.

Russell posted $62,000 bail and was released from jail pending a May 23 court date, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said.

Russell was arrested Wednesday after police say officers serving a search warrant in a sexual assault investigation found methamphetamine, marijuana and a gun at his southwest Las Vegas home.

The 33-year-old was booked Wednesday on 19 drug-possession charges and one weapon charge.

Russell wasn't booked on a sex-crime allegation. Police said that investigation stems from a recent complaint by a woman, and is continuing.

'Chumlee' from 'Pawn Stars' arrested on gun, drug charges

Russell, known as Chumlee on Pawn Stars, appears on the show as an employee of the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas, where the show is filmed and where Chumlee is known for his bizarre antics.

"Chum – the comic, the philosopher, the artist, the brother, the man," says his biography on the show's website. "Chumlee is the best definition of an accidental celebrity to ever come across the media. After all, what is it he is famous for? He loves his sneakers, his caps, his designer duds, his family and his friends and maybe a little music, too.

"He is a great shot in basketball, an amazing big brother, a generous-beyond-what-is-good-for-him friend, and a champ in so many ways. Funny without meaning to be and sometimes while meaning to be, he is a breakout star and fan favorite. Chum will never lie to anyone, he is truthful to a fault but he thinks long and hard about any answer, opinion, or bit of wisdom he is about to lay on you."

Russell is a friend of the family of Rick Harrison, who co-owns the store and is one of three-generations of the family that has owned and operated it since 1989.

Harrison told US Weekly that he's not clear on the details of the case but "we are here to help Chumlee in any way we can."

But no one is too clear on the details or too eager to clear things up. The police will not discuss exactly what prompted them to serve a search warrant on Russell's home. His lawyer won't return phone calls. The Gold & Silver Pawn shop wasn't answering phone calls.

And the A&E Network and the History Channel, where Pawn Stars airs, aren't talking either. The show has been among the network's most popular since it began in 2009.

Although it's a reality show about routine pawn-shop commerce, the History Channel claims it's a show about history because some of the items people bring in to pawn are supposedly historical artifacts and that the store employees have the expertise to judge.

"Kind of like an outlet store that sells history," says the store's website.