Missoula Man Threatens to Kill Officers While Resisting Arrest

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On July 3, 2026, a Missoula County Sheriff’s Office deputy was patrolling in the area of E. Broadway and Van Buren St. when he observed a male standing in the middle of the road, attempting to hit vehicles as they drove northbound. The male was later identified by jail staff as James Carpentier II.  

The deputy turned his patrol vehicle around and contacted James. The deputy noted James appeared to be intoxicated and after he began speaking with James, noted the overwhelming odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from James’s person. The deputy asked James for his identification and James stated he did not have any. The deputy asked James for his name and James refused to identify himself. James was asked several times for his name and he continued to refuse.  

The deputy ordered James to turn around and place his hands behind his back. While speaking with James, the deputy noticed James was tensing up, clenching his fists and blading his stance, indicating to the deputy that James was preparing to fight. Additional units were called to the area based on the several additional transient individuals who were on scene and James’s uncooperative behavior. James turned around and was able to be placed in handcuffs. However, immediately after being placed in handcuffs, James began pushing against the deputy and attempted to pull away. 

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The deputy began walking James to the back passenger side of his patrol car and James again began attempting to pull away. James was instructed to get into the patrol car and refused. James had to be pushed into the car and the door was secured.  

At this time, multiple other officers arrived, including members of the Missoula Police Department. The deputy asked the Missoula Police Officers on scene if they could identify James. During this time, the rear passenger-side door of the patrol car was open and James tried to get out of the vehicle. James refused to place his legs back into the patrol car.  

The decision was then made to place James into the WRAP restraint. Officers placed the helmet on James’s head before he was removed from the vehicle. Once James was out of the vehicle, he again attempted to pull away from officers. Officers made the decision to use force to take James to the ground. As officers were placing James in the WRAP restraint, James spat on an officer. Officers then placed a spit hood on James.  

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

It was at this time that James stated he was going to kill every single one of the law enforcement officers on scene. Once James was secured in the WRAP and a spit hood, he was placed in the back of another deputy’s patrol vehicle and was transported to the jail. 

James is currently being charged with felony threats/improper influence in official and political matters, disorderly conduct, obstructing a peace officer, resisting arrest, and assault with bodily fluid. 

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