Con Fire Official Accused Of Fentanyl Possession, Embezzlement

MARTINEZ, CA — A high-ranking official with the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District was charged Wednesday with alleged illegal possession of fentanyl and midazolam. Richard Stephenson, a 19-year veteran firefighter who most recently was serving as chief of Emergency Medical Services for Con Fire, was arrested Sunday by Martinez police on suspicion of possessing the controlled substances.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office has also charged Stephenson on suspicion of embezzlement, according to court documents obtained Thursday by Patch.

The court complaint against him lists two misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance and two felony counts of embezzlement — one as a public or private officer of property valued at over $400 and one for property valued at over $950.

In filing the embezzlement charges, county prosecutors are alleging theft of the drugs by Stephenson, a representative for the DA's office confirmed.

"The embezzlement charges relate to Mr. Stephenson stealing controlled substances belonging to the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District in order to support his personal drug addiction," said Deputy District Attorney Jason Peck.

A $50,000 arrest warrant was issued Wednesday for the arrest of Stephenson, a 50-year-old Martinez resident, and he was arraigned Thursday at the Contra Costa County Superior Courthouse.

His next court date is Feb. 26.

Stephenson could not be reached for comment but his defense attorney, Tom McKenna, said his client pleaded not guilty Thursday to all charges and was released on his own recognizance after the arraignment.

He's expected back in court later this month, but McKenna said Stephenson is planning to check himself into a residential drug rehab facility soon.

He's really a decent guy and this is a tragedy," McKenna said. "He's embarrassed."

"He loves his department," McKenna added. "He's going to take care of himself and make amends."

Patch was not able to immediately reach the Martinez police official investigating the case against Stephenson.

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Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid for treating severe pain, while midazolam is a benzodiazepine used as a sleep aid and to reduce anxiety prior to a medical procedure.

The Mercury News reported that Stephenson, a 50-year-old Martinez resident, was arrested after "a roommate reported finding a cache of prescription drugs hidden in one of his laundry baskets, according to court records. The discovery was made after Stephenson went to a detoxification facility on Jan. 2."

The DA's charges against Stephenson did not include possession with the intent to sell.

Stephenson has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal investigation against him, according to Steve Hill, spokesman for Con Fire.

Hill said in a statement Wednesday that an internal investigation has also been launched.

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Chief Jeff Carman said the preliminary investigation against Stephenson indicated it “was an isolated incident that did not involve the public or affect our services provided to the public.”

Since Stephenson’s arrest, Con Fire has, “out of an abundance of caution,” removed and inspected all controlled substances from every one of its engines, trucks, rescue squad vehicles and any other apparatus that typically is stocked with controlled substances, the agency said in a news release.

Because Con Fire provides full paramedic service, its vehicles would typically be stocked with a long list of such medications, Hill explained, noting Stephenson was not in a Con Fire vehicle at the time of his arrest.

“These inspections revealed no sign of tampering with any of these operational medical stocks,” Hill said.

Still, Con Fire is in the process of replacing all “operational controlled substances on every” vehicle, and has made arrangements with its emergency transport sub-contractor Alliance “to ensure all required medications are available at the scene of each incident to which we respond,” Hill said.

“While we are confident no compromise of public safety related to these medications has occurred, we have immediately put in place safeguards to ensure no future compromise can occur,” Hill said.

The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District serves Antioch, Concord, Walnut Creek, Martinez, Pittsburg, Lafayette, Pleasant Hill, Pacheco, Clayton, Clyde, Briones, El Sobrante, San Pablo and Bay Point.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone