Traffic Stop Leads To Serious Drug Charges In Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On October 25, 2025, at around 1:00 a.m., a Missoula Police Department officer observed a vehicle driving on Broadway that did not have two working headlamps. The officer executed a traffic stop. The vehicle was occupied by a female driver, who was later identified as 23-year-old Madalyn Evans, and a male passenger in the front seat.  

While Evans was producing requested documents, the officer observed a “tooter straw” in plain view.  The officer learned that Evans was actively under the supervision of Montana Probation and Parole. A Probation Officer (PO) requested a search of Evans’ person and her car. 

Another officer escorted Evans to her patrol vehicle, where she conducted the search of Evans’ person. Nothing of note was discovered on Evans’ person. During the search, Evans did remark that she “can’t get in trouble for his things?” Evans continued to explain to the officer that she had only known the male passenger, later identified as 34-year-old Matthew Gunter, for a short time.  

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Officers Search Both Individuals 

The officer stayed at Evans’ vehicle and began to conduct a search. Gunter was removed and informed the officer that he was on probation and was also in possession of a knife. The officer removed the knife from Gunter’s person and asked what items in the car were his. Gunter explained that the only item in the vehicle that belonged to him was a gray backpack that was at his feet on the passenger side floor. The PO requested a search of Gunter’s backpack, which yielded seven cell phones, multiple bags of hypodermic needles, tubes of saline, and numerous alcohol prep pads.  

The officer conducted the search of Evans’ vehicle and located a scale with a small amount of white powder residue on it that was located under the passenger side seat. On the floor on the driver’s side, a small baggie of methamphetamine was found. The officer also located a torch in the driver’s side door. 

Evans was asked about the baggie and initially stated that Gunter could have thrown it over there. According to court documents, the officers who were on scene and observed Gunter throughout the investigation noted that they never saw him throw anything toward the driver’s seat.  

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Later, Evans offered a statement that she has “never been a methamphetamine user” and that her “thing was always fentanyl.” An officer asked Evans whether she would test positive for anything if Probation and Parole conducted a urinalysis, and Evans responded that she had relapsed on methamphetamine approximately a week ago. 

Both Evans and Gunter were arrested. Gunter is currently being charged with a felony probation violation. Evans 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.