City Desk

Details

Category: City Desk

• standoff
• Drugs
• Warrant
• Drug Task Force

Oct 14, 2022
ButteNews.net

(The following press release was provided by Butte-Silver Bow Sheriff Ed Lester)

(Butte) On October 12th at approximately 12pm, officers of the Southwest Montana Drug Task Force attempted to serve a
search warrant at 519 W. Aluminum Street in Butte. The officers had information that large quantities of dangerous
drugs, including fentanyl, were being sold from the residence. They also had a felony extraditable arrest warrant for a
36-year-old male living at the residence. The warrant was for drug distribution and was issued in Idaho.

As the warrant service began, the agents were unable to enter a front door, which had been barricaded, and gunshots
were heard from within the residence. Butte Police patrol officers responded to assist in establishing a perimeter to
contain the situation. Butte SWAT was also activated and responded to the scene.

Communications were established between Butte Police negotiators and the male subject in the residence. There was
also a female adult inside the residence. During negotiations, the male allowed the female to leave. Negotiations
continued with the male suspect throughout the afternoon and into the night. The subject was given every opportunity
to exit the residence and surrender safely.
During the negotiations, the male subject advised negotiators that he had explosives as well as numerous firearms,
including at least one fully automatic rifle. He advised that he would fire at officers who attempted to enter his yard or
residence.

Butte-Silver Bow law enforcement contacted Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton for assistance. At approximately
3am on the morning of October 13th, Lewis and Clark County SWAT officers relieved Butte Swat Officers at the scene.
Negotiations continued throughout the night.

At approximately 10am on October 13th, Butte SWAT arrived back at the scene. Instructions were given to the suspect
via a PA system to exit the residence. There was no response from inside the house. Multiple efforts were also made to
contact the male by phone. Again, there was no response.

At approximately 11am, chemical agents were introduced into the residence to get the suspect to exit. The suspect did
not exit the house. Additional attempts were made to contact the suspect, but no further contact was made.
The Lewis and Clark County Bomb Squad was requested and responded to the scene.

Drones were used in an effort to locate the suspect. The suspect was not seen.
To safely gain access to the residence, an explosive charge was used to breach the front door. Butte SWAT then entered
and conducted a search of the interior of the house. The suspect was not located on the main floor.

A Montana Highway Patrol K9 and handler were deployed into the residence. The K9 indicated the subject was likely in
a closed basement under a trap door inside the residence. The trap door to the basement was opened by SWAT officers
and efforts were again made to communicate with the subject. There was no response.
The MHP K9 was deployed into the basement with Butte SWAT officers. The subject was in found in a crawl space in the
basement. The male was deceased.

The scene was secured by Butte Police overnight.

Missoula County Sheriff TJ McDermott was asked to provide a team to conduct the investigation into this incident.
Missoula County’s team began their investigation on the morning of October 14th.

Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Coroner Jessie Billquist was requested as an independent coroner to assist with the
investigation. The name of the deceased male is not being released at this time.

An autopsy will be conducted at the Montana State Crime Lab in Missoula to determine the official cause and manner of
the death.

Although chemical agents were used, no gunshots were fired by law enforcement during this incident.
The investigation is ongoing.