Former Maplewood Fire Marshal Charged with Class C Felony

Former Maplewood fire marshal and building inspector Russell Todd has been charged with stealing a controlled substance, a Class C felony, Maplewood Police Chief Stephen Kruse said.

Todd, 55, shared a work area with police Officer Jeff Williams, a code officer, Kruse said. Williams experienced chronic knee pain and had prescription pain medication that he used as needed. He kept the medication in a locked drawer in his office. He is now on leave following surgery on the knee.

In July, Williams told Kruse it appeared some of the medication had gone missing.

Maplewood detectives set up a surveillance camera and captured Todd getting into Williams’ desk and removing the medication, Kruse said.

Detectives arrested Todd on Aug. 8 and interviewed him. They released him pending application of warrants and sent the medication to a lab for analysis.

Results revealed the medication was a controlled substance and were forwarded to the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Maplewood police issued a warrant charging Todd with one count of stealing a controlled substance. Todd  turned himself in to the county jail, posted bond and resigned from his position with Maplewood.

The case now goes to a St. Louis County grand jury, which will decide if there is enough evidence for the case to go to trial.

Todd worked for the City of Maplewood from 2007 through Aug. 8, when he resigned.