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In this episode of The Brighter Side of Blue, the key prosecuting attorney, John Davis exposes the shocking story of Todd Beckman, a successful St. Louis businessman turned criminal “mastermind.” We break down his rise in the tanning and massage industries, his transition into “large-scale” drug trafficking, and the chilling kidnapping that led to his downfall.

Timestamps: 08:47 - Todd Beckman’s rise in business 10:38 - Introduction to Blake Lavender 12:17 - Large-scale marijuana distribution 13:00 - Caleb Lavender’s role 13:47 - Kerry Roades: The muscle 14:37 - Zachary Smith’s involvement 16:59 - Halloween 2016 burglary 20:48 - Beckman’s order: “Find him” 24:44 - The ambush and kidnapping 28:33 - Ransom calls to parents 32:24 - Ellis’s father reports to police 38:04 - Beckman moves Ellis to storage unit 42:09 - Ellis released at a strip mall 44:03 - Law enforcement begins investigation 48:43 - Beckman’s dramatic arrest 52:40 - Discovery of key evidence 55:02 - Beckman’s final downfall

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