SHALIMAR — An Okaloosa County Road Department employee is facing felony charges after allegedly taking heavy duty county equipment to his property, without permission, to remove trees.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office charged Ronald Frederick Russell Jr., 50, with two counts of grand theft of a motor vehicle.
According to an OSCO media release, Russell stated he took a county loader, valued at $185,000, to his property on West Kelly Road in Baker to take out some trees, but the loader became stuck in mud. He then went and got a county grader, valued at $160,000, to try to tow the loader out of trouble – however the grader got stuck as well.
The release stated, "The equipment had been parked at the Blackman store on State Road 189.
"Russell’s district supervisor filed a written affidavit of complaint, stating said Russell had no authority to take the county equipment to his private property for personal use."
After hearing of Russell's arrest, county commissioners issued the following statement March 31 through chairman Kelly Windes, "This morning we learned that Okaloosa County Public Works employee, Frederick R. Russell, took a county road grader and a loader to a private residence. Mr. Russell has been arrested and charged with vehicle theft.
"The Human Resources Department is currently processing his termination paperwork with Okaloosa County, and we will press charges.
"It is most unfortunate when employees make poor choices; however, (it) will not be tolerated."
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa employee faces felony theft charges