Reality can be tough.
When Austin Lee Russell, aka Chumlee from History Channel’s “Pawn Stars” was arrested this week, he became just the latest reality television star to run afoul of the law. Check below for details on the arrests of Chumlee and 10 other reality stars from recent years.
Austin Lee Russell (aka “Chumlee”) — “Pawn Stars”
Arrested: March 2016 on firearm and drug possession charges
Chumlee, as fans of “Pawn Stars” know him, was arrested after police in Las Vegas carried out a search warrant at his home, related to a reported sexual assault. Officers reportedly found several illegal items including firearms, methamphetamine and marijuana.
Khloe Kardashian — “Keeping Up With the Kardashians”
Arrested: March 2007 for a DUI charge
When “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” was in its infancy, Khloe Kardashian, then 22 years old, was arrested for DUI. She later apologized for the incident, calling her behavior “unthinkable” and promising to “never, ever do that again.”
Matt Brown — “Alaskan Bush People”
Arrested: December 2013 for DUI and hit-and-run charges
The 33-year-old cast member of “Alaskan Bush People” was cuffed after an incident in Juneau, Alaska. According to Radar, Brown hit a parked motorcycle in a Wal-Mart parking lot and fled the scene. He was booked on charges related to DUI and leaving the scene of a crash.
Gregory Boadwine — “Ice Road Truckers”
Arrested: June 2011 for a domestic violence charge
One of the truck drivers from the series “Ice Road Truckers” faced a judge in 2011 after allegedly grabbing his wife by the throat and shoving her into a door. According to TMZ, the couple was fighting at their home until his wife’s 9-year-old son urged them to stop. Boadwine’s wife stood by him, saying the incident was “not as violent” as it was made out to be.
Teresa Giudice — “Real Housewives of New Jersey”
Arrested: July 2013 for multiple fraud charges
The reality star and her husband were charged with multiple charges related to financial fraud in 2013. They eventually pleaded guilty to 41 counts of fraud in March 2014. Teresa Giudice reported to federal prison in January 2015 and was released after serving 11 months of a 15-month sentence.
Teresa Giudice of "Real Housewives of New Jersey."
Abby Lee Miller — “Dance Moms”
Arrested: October 2015 for fraud charges
A bankruptcy judge who happened to see Miller on TV remembered her from his court and realized she hadn’t disclosed nearly $800,000 of income. Miller was indicted on charges of bankruptcy fraud, concealment of bankruptcy assets and false bankruptcy declarations, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Alexis Neiers — “Pretty Wild”
Arrested: December 2010 for drug possession and perjury charges
The reality star and former member of the Los Angeles “Bling Ring” burglary group was arrested after officers found heroin at her home in 2010. The drugs violated her probation terms stemming from a 2009 arrest. Neiers was also found with a fake driver’s licence, according to TMZ.
Chikezie Eze — “American Idol”
Arrested: February 2010 for charges related to identity theft
The “American Idol” finalist was arrested after reportedly attempting to buy items at a Beverly Hills store using a phony credit card. Eze was charged with felony identity theft, according to TMZ.
Joshua Tel Warner — “Deadliest Catch”
Arrested: December 2009 for a series of bank robberies
This fishing boat crew member from “Deadliest Catch” was a wanted bank robber before he joined the show. Warner was part of a string of bank heists in Oregon from 2007 to 2009, according to CBS News. Investigators issued a warrant for Warner’s arrest in December 2009 and arrested him in Illinois.
Adam Jasinski — “Big Brother”
Arrested: October 2010 for drug possession and tax evasion
The winner of “Big Brother” season nine was arrested after he tried to sell 2,000 oxycodone pills. It turned out that Jasinski had also failed to file a tax return for the year in which he won the show’s cash prize of $500,000. According to the New York Daily News, Jasinski pleaded guilty to both crimes.
Michael Skupin — “Survivor”
Arrested: February 2016 on child pornography and racketeering charges
The two-time “Survivor” contestant was arrested and charged with six counts of possession of child pornography, as well as racketeering for his alleged role in a Ponzi scheme.
Clint Davis covers entertainment and trending news topics for the Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @MrClintDavis.
