Man Swallows Meth During His Ride to the Missoula Jail

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On January 5, 2026, at approximately 10:58 p.m., Missoula Police Department officers responded to the area of 3333 North Reserve St. after receiving a report that a male left a baggie of methamphetamine on a chair inside a casino. The complainant provided a description of the male, whom officers located a short distance from the casino at Dave’s Hot Chicken.

The male initially refused to answer the officers’ questions about his identity. Eventually, the officers identified the male as 41-year-old John Skinner and arrested him. During the arrest, Skinner dropped a pack of cigarettes on the ground.

While seated in the patrol vehicle, Skinner began to answer questions by speaking very quietly. He also turned his head slightly away from the officer when answering. On the drive to the jail, Skinner told the officer to take him to the hospital instead of the jail. When asked why, Skinner advised that he just swallowed “10.5 [grams] of methamphetamine.”

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The officer pulled over his patrol vehicle and commanded Skinner to spit out the substance, but Skinner continued to chew. The officer took control of Skinner’s head and attempted to open his mouth, but was unable to do so. At some point, however, Skinner did open his mouth and showed the officer that the white substance was gone. According to court documents, Skinner stated that he had the substance in his mouth the entire time he was speaking with police, and that was the reason he was speaking so softly and turning his head away from the officer.

The officer transported Skinner to St. Patrick Hospital for medical treatment. At the hospital, Skinner advised that he removed the methamphetamine from the pack of cigarettes that the officers observed on the ground and put it in his mouth when the officers first made contact with him. Skinner remained at the hospital for several hours before being medically cleared and transported to the jail. Skinner was later re-admitted to the hospital after experiencing continued symptoms of drug overdose.

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

Skinner is currently being charged with felony tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, and obstructing a peace officer. The State requested a warrant in the amount of $20,000. Skinner is currently serving suspended sentences on three separate Missoula County cases.

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