From Gambling to Jail: Missoula Man’s Probation Violation

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On April 8, 2026, Montana Probation & Parole Officers were dispatched to the Magic Diamond Casino located at 1210 W. Broadway Street following a report that 43-year-old Bucky Smith was gambling at the casino. Upon the Officers’ arrival at the casino, the staff informed them that Smith was gambling at a machine located in the northwest corner of the Casino.  

The Officers contacted Smith and asked why he failed to report to his appointment. The Officers then placed Smith under arrest and escorted him to a Probation & Parole vehicle. A PO informed Smith that he would be conducting a pat search and asked Smith whether he had anything on him that could injure him. Smith then informed the PO that he had a “loker” in his front coat pocket.  

The PO located an eyeglass case in the front, right coat pocket of Smith’s coat. Inside the case, the PO located a pipe that he knew to be commonly used for the purpose of ingesting methamphetamine. The PO also located a small, clear plastic baggie that he believed contained methamphetamine.  

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A Missoula Police Department Officer was dispatched to the scene to take custody of the suspected methamphetamine. The officer looked at the plastic baggie located on Smith’s person and observed a crystalline substance. From his training and experience, the officer found the substance to be consistent with methamphetamine. The officer also observed the located pipe, and based on his training and experience, found that it was consistent with one used for inhaling methamphetamine vapors. 

The officer read Smith a Miranda warning, and Smith agreed to provide a statement. Smith admitted to the officer that the substance was methamphetamine and that he consumes methamphetamine with a pipe. The evidence was seized and later tested with a TruNarc device, which yielded a presumptive positive result for methamphetamine. 

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Smith is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $30,000. 

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