Missoula Crime Report: AR-15, BB Gun, and a Knife Were Used
Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - The Missoula County Attorney’s Office charged 17 new criminal complaints this week, which is one less than last week and right around the weekly average. According to County Attorney Kirsten Pabst, 10 of those involved crimes against persons.
“Three included some kind of an allegation of domestic violence,” Pabst said. “There were three assault with the weapon cases. In the first, the alleged weapon was a BB gun, in the second it was an AR-15, and in the third it was a knife. We charged stalking as well as a robbery case, which in this instance and in many instances, it starts out as shoplifting and elevates to a robbery because we add an element of injury.”
Pabst said her office also charged a sexual abuse of children for possession of sexual materials of children.
“In the endangerment category, there were four new cases,” Pabst said. “One was a car crash that also involved methamphetamine. In the second, it started off as a flat tire, evolved into a chase on a flat tire, and the defendant was charged with criminal endangerment. Then there were two felony DUIs, which is a 4th or subsequent offense.”
In addition, there was a theft of a motor vehicle and a criminal mischief case. The defendant was allegedly damaging his ex-girlfriend's house. Before concluding her report, Pabst wanted to add one more thing.
“Leannah Gardipe, who was accused of killing her two young children, entered a guilty plea this week and will be sentenced after a PSI is complete,” Pabst said. “It was an open plea, which means both sides will make independent recommendations, and it's ultimately up to the judge to decide what will happen.”
The Missoula County Attorney’s Office provides a report every Friday morning at 9:00 to KGVO’s Talk Back audience. You can listen to Pabst's full report below: