Overdose at Johnson Street Shelter Leads to Drug Arrest in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On February 8, 2025, Missoula Police Department Officers were dispatched to the Johnson Street Warming Shelter for a report of an individual who overdosed. An officer arrived on scene and spoke to staff members. Staff advised that the female who overdosed was hanging out with a male, 40-year-old Kevin Wild, right before the female collapsed.  

When first responders arrived, Wild left quickly. The officer reviewed video surveillance from where the female collapsed. The video shows Wild sitting next to the female, pulling items out of his backpack, handing her tinfoil, and then the female leans down to smoke it. The two engage in this activity for some time before Wild packs up his items. Once the female collapsed and staff came over, the Wild left.  

The female was transported to the Community Medical Hospital. The officer was unable to speak to her. However, hospital staff said the female reported that she had ingested Fentanyl, which led to the overdose, and used methamphetamine earlier.  

The officer located Wild and spoke to him. Before providing the reason for the stop, Wild said he knew why and mentioned the female “smoking drugs.” The officer explained what they saw on the surveillance video. Wild denied that the item being smoked was from his backpack, stating it was from the female’s pipe and “stuff.”  

The officer asked if Wild had any drugs on him. Wild responded, “I have what I picked up, yeah.” When asked if that was in the backpack, Wild said, “no” and motioned towards his pocket. The officer requested permission to remove the item from Wild’s pocket, which Wild consented to.  

The officer removed a glass methamphetamine pipe from Wild’s pocket. At this point, Wild was arrested. During a search incident to arrest, the officer located a cigarette box with a clear plastic bag inside containing a chunk of a white substance. Then the officer requested permission to search Wild’s backpack, which he also consented to. The officer located various items of drug paraphernalia inside the backpack, including used and new hypodermic needles, snort kits, Narcan, and tinfoil. 

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Wild said he did not call 911 when the female collapsed because he said the staff had already done so. Wild stated the baggie found on his person was something he picked up at the scene and said it was either methamphetamine or Fentanyl.  

According to court documents, Wild advised he and the female were smoking methamphetamine and the items used to smoke the methamphetamine were the items located in the backpack. However, Wild said the drugs were from the female and the baggie she had was left when she began overdosing. No baggie was found by any first responder when they arrived at the shelter. 

Wild 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.