Officer Discovers Drugs in Vehicle Parked Near Missoula Business

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On September 30, 2024, at approximately 4:13 AM, a Missoula Police Department officer was patrolling the area of West Broadway and Charlo Street when he observed a vehicle parked next to a shop. The officer noticed the vehicle was running with the headlights on, but given the time of morning, found this odd as the surrounding business was currently closed and there were no residential homes in the area.

The officer parked and approached the vehicle on foot. A male, later identified as 32-year-old James Paxton, was in the driver’s seat and he appeared to be sleeping. The officer knocked on the window and Paxton woke up. The officer asked Paxton why he was parked at this location and if he needed any assistance. During the conversation, the officer observed an open-ended glass pipe with a bulbous end and white residue in the center console.

Based on the officer’s training and experience, he recognized this item as drug paraphernalia commonly associated with the use and ingestion of dangerous drugs. The officer explained his observations to Paxton and asked him to step out of the vehicle. When asked, Paxton stated, unsolicited, that he had a small amount of dangerous drugs inside the vehicle. According to court documents, Paxton added that the drugs were on the center console within a sock.

The officer obtained consent to search Paxton’s vehicle to retrieve the dangerous drugs. Inside the sock was a black plastic container. Inside this container was a small clear plastic bag with a white crystal-like substance. The substance was later tested by a TruNarc scanner which returned as a presumptive positive as methamphetamine. The substance was sealed and stored pending transport to the Montana State Crime Lab for Chemical Analysis.

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports

The officer also located an additional open-ended glass pipe with a bulbous end and white residue in the center console. The officer advised Paxton of his Miranda rights, which he stated he understood and waived. When asked, Paxton admitted that the substance was methamphetamine.

Paxton was placed under arrest and was transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. He is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia.

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