Concealed Weapon and Alcohol Lead to Arrest of Missoula Man

At about 6 a.m. on Monday, January 13, Missoula County sheriff's deputies were called to assist the Montana Highway Patrol at the Walmart store on Brooks.

Sergeant Tony Rio said Cameron Sopkowiak, 22, had reportedly rolled his pickup truck several miles up Miller Creek Road, and then walked down to the Walmart store on Brooks Street. During the interview, deputies saw that Sopkowiak was armed with a .45 caliber pistol in a holster on his belt.

"During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that the man was still under the influence of alcohol, even though he said it took him several hours to walk from his truck down to Walmart," Rio said. "Obviously in Montana, it's against the law to possess a concealed weapon while you are under the influence of alcohol."

Rio said Sopkowiak was then placed under arrest.

"Ultimately he was arrested for that offense, taken to the jail and subsequently processed by the sheriff's department for DUI, as well," Rio said. "The Montana Highway Patrol handled the crash portion of the investigation."

Sopkowiak will appear in justice court to face charges.