Switching License Plates Leads to Drug Arrest in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On March 17, 2024, at approximately 6:00 PM, a Missoula Police Department Officer was dispatched to Ernest Avenue for a report of suspicious activity. The reporting party advised that a male and female were switching license plates on a vehicle in the area.  

Upon arrival, the officer observed a male working on a Grey Chevy Impala and another vehicle parked in the opposite direction. A female was observed standing next to both vehicles. The officer advised the male about unlawfully switching the license plates of a motor vehicle and requested his identification. The male identified himself as advised he had just purchased the vehicle from a friend and did not want to drive the vehicle with the previous license plates. 

As the officer was about to relay the information to dispatch, the female on scene grabbed a purse from within the passenger side of the Chevy Impala and attempted to walk away. The officer attempted to stop the female and advised her that both of them were being temporarily detained. The female stated that she was not being detained and was going to walk away. The officer then asked the female for her identification, and she stated she did not have to identify herself and refused to do so. 

Female Finally Identifies Herself

The female continued to defy and ignore all lawful commands. The officer told the female to place her hands behind her back so she could be placed under arrest. She continued to refuse and attempted to passively and physically resist arrest. Eventually, the female was detained. The female then identified herself as 32-year-old April Salois. 

The officer provided Salois’ name to dispatch and was advised that she had a local active felony arrest warrant and an extraditable active misdemeanor arrest warrant. Salois’ purse was secured in the trunk of the officer’s patrol vehicle to be transported with her to the Missoula County Detention Facility. 

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports

Upon intake at the jail, staff told the officer they found a cut pen with burnt residue in Salois’ bra. Jail staff also notified the officer that they located more suspected drug paraphernalia in Salois’ purse when conducting an inventory search. Jail staff had removed several pieces of tin foil with burnt residue, another cut pen with burnt residue, and several small clear plastic bags.  

Alongside these items, jail staff discovered one small clear zip lock bag containing a small amount of methamphetamine. The paraphernalia and drugs were secured into evidence and are pending transport to the Montana State Crime Lab for chemical analysis. 

Salois is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, obstructing a peace officer, and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. 

The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.