Wanted Man Caught With Drugs Inside a Missoula Apartment

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On January 11, 2024, Missoula Police Department Officers were contacted to remove a person from the Maple Street Flats. The property manager reported a man gained unauthorized access to their secure building and got in by “intimidating” another resident into using their key fob to let him in.  

Officers arrived and went to the apartment the male reportedly entered. Eventually, the female tenant opened the door. Officers asked if others were in the apartment. The tenant went back into the bedroom and three others came out with her, two males and a female. 

Officers spoke to the parties, explaining the reason they were there was due to unauthorized access to the secure building. A male identified himself as 35-year-old Joshua Phillips. Phillips had a Ravalli County warrant issued for his arrest and was on parole.  

An officer contacted a Probation and Parole Officer who requested officers arrest Phillips on a parole violation. Phillips demanded his coat and backpack stay at the apartment, but the officer said they would be taken to the jail for safekeeping. Phillips responded, “I’m f*****g telling you, punk” regarding the conversation about the backpack. The officer noticed the way Phillips’ demeanor changed was odd. 

While escorting Phillips to the patrol vehicle, Phillips said, “You’re right, there is dope in there.” While at the patrol vehicle, Phillips was searched incident to arrest. Officers located a baggie of methamphetamine and a couple of pipes inside a black bag in the coat.  

According to court documents, Phillips admitted he did not want to get caught with the drugs and that is why he wished for his stuff to remain in the apartment. Phillips 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.