Missoula Man Gets Caught With Meth During Felony DUI Arrest

On July 20, 2023, a complainant called 911 to report a male slumped over the wheel of a vehicle at McDonald’s on Liberty Lane. The caller told dispatch that their husband asked if the male was okay, and the male nodded ‘no’. Medical, Fire, and a Missoula Police Department officer were dispatched.  

The officer arrived and observed a male, later identified as Gerald Wayne Frey, sitting in the driver's seat with the vehicle running and in drive. Frey had his head down and had the music turned up loud. The officer asked Frey to put the vehicle in 'park' and to turn down the music. 

While standing outside the vehicle, the officer observed tin foil with a dark brown residue laying on the front passenger floorboard, as well as a handheld butane torch lighter sitting on the front passenger seat.

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The officer asked the male to step out and if he needed medical attention. Frey said that he was fine, and did not need medical attention. According to court documents, Frey stated that he smokes methamphetamine.  

The officer observed that Frey was sweating profusely and that the entire upper part of his white shirt was wet with sweat. The officer also observed that Frey’s pupils were pinpointed and did not react to lighting changes. 

The officer asked Frey to participate in the SFSTS, which Frey agreed to. At the conclusion of the tests, the officer observed 10 out of a possible 18 indicators of impairment. The officer placed Frey under arrest for DUI. Frey was brought to St. Patrick’s Hospital for a blood draw before being brought to jail.  

While at the jail, staff conducted an inventory search of Frey’s property. The jail staff discovered a small plastic bag containing a white crystal-like substance hidden in Frey’s wallet. The officer tested the substance using the Trunarc instrument, which resulted in a presumptive positive result of methamphetamine. 

Frey is currently being charged with felony DUI and felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs. Court documents indicate Frey has four previous DUI convictions. On July 21, 2023, Frey made his initial appearance in Missoula Justice Court and his bond was set at $75,000. 

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