Man prohibited from having gun had hollow-point bullets with weapon in DUI investigation, police say

A New Jersey man was released from jail Thursday after waiving charges for Bucks County Court in connection with an alleged illegal firearm possession discovered during a DUI-related investigation in May, police said.

According to Buckingham Township Police, Tyler R. Russell, 31, of the unit block of Legacy Place in East Brunswick, NJ, was charged on May 10 with felony counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and carrying a firearm without a license after a suspicious vehicle was reported at Buckingham Green Shopping Center around 1:28 a.m.

Responding officers met with detectives already on scene, who had observed Russell, the vehicle’s owner and sole occupant, allegedly attempting to conceal a black Nike fanny pack under the front passenger seat. Police said when asked about the pack, Russell claimed it contained nothing of concern.

However, a search of Russell’s property revealed a loaded Colt .38 Special revolver, concealed inside the fanny pack with five live hollow-point rounds, police said. 

Russell allegedly admitted he was a previously convicted felon and did not have a valid permit to carry the weapon — both facts confirmed by a criminal history check.

Russell was taken into custody and jailed on 10% of $200,000 cash bail following his arraignment in May. On Thursday, during a preliminary hearing, Magisterial District Judge Maggie Snow ordered bail modified to $200,000 unsecured, and Russell was subsequently released from custody after nearly two months in jail.

Russell is being represented by the Bucks County Public Defender’s Office. His formal arraignment in county court is scheduled for August 1.

All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.