Missoula Jail Staff Find Drugs on Man Who Resisted Arrest

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On June 8, 2023, a Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was called to the Kettlehouse Amphitheater for a male that was refusing to leave the parking lot. When the deputy arrived, he spoke with a staff member who stated the male, later identified as Michael Enochs, was acting belligerent, appeared to be drunk and high, and was aggressive with the staff. 

The staff member also said that Enochs had attempted to fight one of the staff members and had grabbed the hair of another staff member. The staff member said he tried telling Enoch to leave and requested the transport shuttle wait for him. 

The Deputy Contacts the Suspect

The deputy made contact with Enoch near a pickup truck and observed a female in the passenger seat. The female appeared to be very annoyed with Enoch and said she was trying to get him to leave, but he would not listen to anyone. 

While speaking with Enoch, the deputy noticed that he appeared to be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, but was coherent. The deputy said Enoch appeared to be tense and ready to fight. After the deputy introduced himself, Enoch appeared to calm down. 

The deputy told Enoch that he needed to leave and that he could do so via Uber or by having someone else pick him up. The deputy also told Enoch that he could take the shuttle that had been waiting for him. Enoch said he would take the bus, but then he tried to enter his pickup. The female prevented Enoch from entering the vehicle and the deputy again was able to get Enoch to agree to ride the bus. 

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The Situation Escalates

Enoch began walking toward the bus and then turned his face toward the deputy’s patrol car. According to court documents, Enoch then changed direction and started walking fast toward the deputy’s patrol car. The deputy was concerned by this behavior because there were guns, knives, and other weapons in his patrol car. 

The deputy told Enoch not to touch or enter his car, but Enoch appeared to reach for the door handle in what appeared to be an attempt to enter the car. The deputy closed the gap between himself and Enoch, grabbed Enoch, and pushed him against his patrol car to prevent Enoch from fighting. The deputy told Enoch he could still leave on the bus if he was done creating a risk and Enoch stated he was. 

Enoch then began to squirm and maneuver around. Then Enoch attempted to punch the deputy with his right arm. The deputy then gained physical control of Enoch’s wrists and drove his body to the ground. The deputy gained control of Enoch’s arms and wrists, but Enoch actively pulled away from the deputy’s grasp. Enoch was ordered to stop resisting and was told that he was under arrest. Enoch was then placed into handcuffs.  

Drugs Are Found

Court documents indicate Enoch continued to be uncooperative. A trooper responded to assist in getting Enoch into the deputy’s car. Enoch was transported to the jail and during the booking process, jail staff found suspected drugs within Enoch’s socks.  

Two small baggies fell onto the floor. The deputy later tested these via the Ace Identifier and found one baggy which was green in color to contain approximately 1.3 grams of Ketamine and the other baggie to contain a substance identified as MDMA. 

Enoch is currently being charged with two counts of felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs and resisting arrest.  

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