UPDATE: On Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at 4:20 a.m., the jail deputy was conducting his observation logs when he saw Todd hanging from the bars of his cell, with his shoelaces tied around his neck. The deputy quickly cut the shoelaces from his neck and called for medical aid. Medical personnel responded and pronounced Todd dead at the scene. Todd was housed alone in the cell. Sheriff’s Homicide Detail responded and are conducting the investigation. Riverside County Coroner will conduct the autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Big Bear City, CA – At approximately 1:20 p.m. yesterday, Detectives and Deputies of the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station served a search warrant at a residence in the 300 block of East Country Club Blvd. in Big Bear City. The warrant was issued as part of an ongoing investigation in a suspected child molestation case. Through investigation, it was determined that a 6-year-old juvenile had been visiting the suspect, identified as Richard Todd, over the past year. The victim disclosed that while visiting Todd at his residence, he touched the victim and used foreign objects on the victim’s genital area. It appears Todd might have used his pet parrot and small dog to entice the victim to play inside his residence.
Todd was found to be in possession of child pornography and arrested without incident. During execution of the search warrant, deputies also located an illegal assault weapon and other corroborating evidence at Todd’s residence. Todd was taken into custody and booked at the Big Bear Jail on felony charges of Sexual Molestation of a Minor; Possession of Child Pornography; and Possession of an Illegal Assault Rifle. Todd remains in custody in lieu of $250,000 bail, pending an arraignment hearing in San Bernardino County Superior Court.
Detectives have determined that multiple juveniles have visited the suspect’s residence without supervision over the course of several years. The Big Bear Sheriff’s Station is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying any possible additional victims. If you have information regarding this matter, please contact the Detective McCurdy at (909) 866-0100. Information can also be reported anonymously by calling WE-TIP at (800) 78-CRIME or online at WeTip.
