Probationer Caught With Drugs at a Missoula Park

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) On August 14, 2026, a Missoula Police Department officer was dispatched to a warrant call at Bonner Park. Dispatch advised that Probation and Parole had reported 26-year-old Trinity McNeely’s location. It was reported that McNeely was with an individual who had recently been released from custody and, per his court order, was not supposed to be with McNeely.  

Upon arrival, the officer approached McNeely, who immediately began running. The officer maneuvered his vehicle in front of McNeely, then exited and sprinted after her. The officer commanded McNeely to stop twice, then ordered her to get on the ground. McNeely stopped running and stood still, facing away from him. The officer grabbed both of McNeely wrists and placed them behind her back, securing her until another officer arrived and assisted with handcuffing.  

Once McNeely was secured in handcuffs, the officer escorted her to the front of their patrol vehicle and performed a search incident to arrest. The officer asked McNeely if she had anything sharp in her pockets, such as knives or needles, and she said no. During the search, the officer found a folding pocketknife in the front pocket of McNeely’s sweatshirt, and a pill bottle was removed. Once the search was complete, McNeely was secured in the back of the officer’s patrol vehicle. 

Get our free mobile app

Investigation into Drug Use

Another officer advised that McNeely’s bottle did not have any pills, but that he did see folded tin foil. The officer Mirandized McNeely, then asked about the foil inside the pill bottle. McNeely stated it was an empty piece of tin foil, and she had finished taking her medication.  

According to court documents, McNeely stated, “No, there’s not gonna be any drugs left on it. There’s no drugs on it.” When asked what was on the foil, McNeely responded, “I was, it was meth being smoked on it.” The officer asked McNeely when the last time she used drugs was, and she stated she did not want to answer. The pill bottle with the tin foil and McNeely’s personal belongings were placed in the back of the patrol vehicle. Probation advised that McNeely needed to be charged with a probation violation. 

McNeely was eventually transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. An officer performed a probation search on the bags McNeely had with her on scene and found two syringes and a pair of bolt cutters. The officer inspected the syringes, one of which was empty. The officer removed the cap of the syringe and observed dried blood on the needle, indicating it had been used. The second syringe contained a black, fluid-like substance that later tested positive for methamphetamine. 

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

Charges Filed Against McNeely

McNeely was remanded on charges of her warrant, a probation violation, obstructing a peace officer, criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, and possession of burglary tools. Her bond was set at $25,000. 

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