Suspended License Leads to Drug Bust Behind a Missoula Casino

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On May 16, 2026, a Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Deputy ran a license plate for a white Chevrolet pickup he observed parked behind the Magic Diamond Casino on the corner of Mullan and Reserve. The plate returned to 35-year-old William Roper. Roper was found to be suspended and had a warrant out of Mineral County.  

At 12:45 AM, the deputy observed the vehicle leave the parking lot and turn west onto Mullan. The deputy initiated a traffic stop and found Roper to be the driver. Roper was asked for his registration and insurance. Roper stated he did not have insurance on the vehicle and confirmed his license was suspended.  

Roper was placed under arrest and was subject to a search incident to arrest. The deputy located a lighter and a piece of tinfoil in Roper’s pocket. Upon inquiry, Roper stated the tinfoil was from some food.  

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Another deputy asked Roper for consent to search his vehicle, which Roper consented to. That deputy located the following in Roper’s pickup: a folded paper bindle containing suspected methamphetamine inside a wallet; a small plastic baggie containing a single round blue pill-which they deputy believed to be Alprazolan or Xanax after utilizing an online pill identifier; and a bent metal tube which had white residue inside.  

The deputy mirandized Roper, who admitted to using methamphetamine in the last year but denied knowing there was methamphetamine in the vehicle and that the Xanax was not prescribed. The deputy later tested the suspected methamphetamine using the ACE ID, which returned positive for methamphetamine. 

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

Roper was transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. He is currently being charged with two counts of felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with a suspended license, and operating without liability insurance. His bond was set at $25,000. 

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