Man Breaks Into Missoula Home, Gets Caught With Drugs

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On August 7, 2024, multiple Missoula Police Department officers were dispatched to a residence in the 1100 block of Montana Street. It was reported that two individuals had been seen entering an unoccupied house by squeezing into a basement window. When officers arrived, they observed a window had been covered by chicken wire and that the chicken wire had been removed.  

The complainant informed officers that the male who entered the residence was now standing by a trailer parked near the residence. Officers approached the male, who was later identified as 34-year-old Shawn Pierce. Pierce informed officers that the female he was with had walked toward the Poverello Center.  

Pierce was in possession of a backpack and was placed under arrest. The backpack was unzipped, and officers could observe in plain sight numerous Ziploc-style baggies, a portable electronic scale, and a butane torch and canister. Pierce was read his Miranda Rights and then admitted that the bag was his and that he had recently used methamphetamine.  

While officers were talking with Pierce, other officers were ensuring that the residence was cleared. They made multiple announcements and heard a female voice respond from the basement. She voluntarily exited the house and was placed under arrest.  

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

After Pierce was taken to the Missoula County Detention Facility, officers applied for and were granted a search warrant for Pierce’s backpack. During a search, officers found more baggies, torches, tooter straws, electronic scales with residue, a broken glass pipe, and tin foil with a cut piece of a pressed blue fentanyl pill. Officers also found a baggie that contained 1.6 grams of meth. 

Pierce is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal trespass to property, and obstructing a peace officer. His bond was set at $15,000. 

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