Crime & Safety
Hotel Gun Suspect Makes Bail
Russell Ziemba freed after bond is reduced fro $105,000 to $20,000

HOUSTON, TX — A man who police accused of having a small arsenal of weapons in his room at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Houston on New Year's Eve, will be released on bond.
Russell Ziemba, 49, was arrested on New Year's Eve and charged with assaulting a peace officer trespassing after getting in a scuffle with an off-duty police officer working security at the hotel.
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Initially, a judge set Ziemba's bond at $105,000, but his attorney argued for his bond to be lowered to $20,000.
The incident began when hotel guests complained that Ziemba was drunk and belligerent to guests and staff.
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The officer ordered Ziemba to leave and escorted him to his room on the 28th floor to collect his belongings, and saw the weapons and ammuniton in his room, and tried to place him in handcuffs.
Ziemba, a decorated U.S. Army veteran, was found with a handgun, a shotgun and an AR-15, which sparked fears of another Las Vegas-style attack.
Ziemba told officials the guns, which were registered, was in his room to ensure they were not stolen from his vehicle, parked in the hotel parking garage.
As a condition of his bail, Ziemba will remain on house arrest, is required to wear an ankle monitor, is ordered to stay away from alcohol, and is prohibited from possessing any firearms.
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