36 year-old Catherine Rymel, who was arrested on New Year’s Day on felony drug charges, obstructing a peace officer and tampering with evidence, appeared in Missoula Justice Court on Thursday before Justice of the Peace Alex Beal.

Deputy Missoula County Attorney Mark Handelman asked Judge Beal to hold Rymel on $25,000 bail.

“These charges stem from the defendant dealing methamphetamine and hiding it when she saw police and then continued to fight with police to prevent the execution of a search warrant,” said Handelman. “Given the fact that she did fight with police we are requesting that bail be set at $25,000, as we deem her a risk to the community. If released she should only be placed in pretrial supervision and be tested for methamphetamine and any other drugs they see fit.”

According to court documents, a person who was with Rymel before she was arrested stated that she hid meth inside a body cavity. After being taken to St. Patrick Hospital with a search warrant, a female officer attempted to recover the drugs, but Rymel kicked hospital staff and screamed and it took multiple people to subdue her. The drugs were retrieved and about 35 grams of methamphetamine was recovered.

The public defender asked Judge Beal to release Rymel on her own recognizance directly into pretrial supervision because she was already in a drug treatment program.

Judge Beal released Rymel without bail directly into pretrial supervision. She must appear again before the judge later this month.

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