Details Emerge From Missoula Apartment Complex Drug Scare

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On November 4, 2024, Missoula Police Department Officers were called to an apartment complex in the 1400 block of Broadway Street for a report of an unresponsive male. An officer arrived and began CPR on the male, R.T. The two residents of the apartment were identified, including 43-year-old Rhiannon Bentz.  

The officer asked Bentz what R.T. had taken and she stated she did not know and that R.T. had dropped when he got there. The officer asked what R.T. normally takes and Bentz stated she did not know. 

In a later interview under Miranda, the officer learned that Bentz was not forthcoming in what she knew regarding what R.T. had taken. According to court documents, officers learned R.T. had come to Bentz’s home to do drugs with Bentz and the other resident.  

The other resident initially told an officer that he barely knew R.T. and that he assumed R.T. had ingested fentanyl due to R.T. smoking something off of tinfoil moments before he collapsed. R.T. was eventually transported to the hospital for further medical care.  

A Probation Officer Requested a Search 

The officer called the on-call probation officer and informed her of the drug overdose. The PO requested a search of Bentz’s apartment on behalf of probation. The officer searched the nightstand on the left side of the room and located 30 suspected Fentanyl pills. The officer also located a small bag of suspected methamphetamine.  

Additionally, the officer located a plastic baggie that had crumpled foil in it, with a white powdery substance at the bottom. The substance was TruNarc tested and returned a presumptive positive for acetaminophen, a known cutting agent with fentanyl powder. The officer also found a large quantity of small plastic baggies and two small packages of suspected psilocybin mushrooms.  

In addition, the officer located large amounts of tinfoil with black scorch marks and trails, which is indicative of people smoking illicit fentanyl pills. The officer also found a large quantity of plastic straws with melted ends and white powdery residue on other items of paraphernalia.  

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Bentz Explains What Happened 

The officer advised Bentz of her Miranda rights. Bentz stated that R.T. had come over to the apartment to use drugs socially with her and the other resident. Bentz stated R.T had brought his own drugs with him and arrived maybe five minutes before 911 was called. Bentz stated R.T. had brought meth and “bigger pills” with him. 

Bentz 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.