Missoula Police Arrest Man for Criminal Child Endangerment
Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On February 17, 2023, a Missoula Police Department Officer was assigned to a school event. He removed several students due to their intoxication and called their parents to pick them up.
One of the parents, 41-year-old Michael Lockerd, arrived at the Adams Center parking lot. Lockerd was parked with his engine running and headlights on. Lockerd exited the driver’s seat of the vehicle to speak with the officer.
The officer immediately observed Lockerd’s eyes to be red and watery. Without any questions regarding marijuana, Lockerd told the officer he had not been smoking marijuana. The officer also noticed Lockerd’s speech to be slurred and had noticeable pauses between his words.
One of the students entered the truck to wait because it was cold outside. When the officer opened the truck’s passenger rear door to speak with the juvenile, a glass beer bottle fell out and broke on the pavement. The officer also observed other alcoholic beverage containers on the floorboard.
In addition, the officer observed a small child in the truck, properly seated in a child safety seat. Court documents indicate the officer later learned that the child was 4 years old. Lockerd admitted to driving up from Florence to Missoula, and picked up the child on the way over. When asked about the child’s birthdate, Lockerd responded with the year 2005. When prompted to try again, Lockerd corrected the year to 2029.
Lockerd declined all Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. He also declined a preliminary breath test. Due to DUI convictions from 2015 in Ravalli County and 2017 in Missoula County, the officer applied for and was granted a warrant for Lockerd’s blood. Results of the latter are pending.
Lockerd is currently being charged with felony criminal child endangerment.
The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.