Prosecutor decides not to pursue case against former sheriff Ferrell

The special prosecutor assigned to pursue a felony stealing charge against former Scott County sheriff William F. "Bill" Ferrell has decided not to continue prosecution at this time.

Don Schneider, assistant to St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch, said Monday afternoon that McCulloch has decided not to pursue the case against Ferrell at this time due to a lack of evidence. McCulloch was assigned to the case in February when Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Boyd asked to be dismissed from the case immediately after getting a grand jury indictment against Ferrell due to a conflict of interest.

Schneider said the decision not to prosecute the case was made Friday, just a few days before an arraignment was to take place Monday afternoon. The case could be brought in the future if more evidence comes forward, said Schneider, but there are no plans at this time to prosecute Ferrell.

Ferrell had been charged with one count of felony stealing for allegedly taking funds illegally from the county DARE fund between Dec. 1, 2004 and Feb. 26, 2005.

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