Man Hits Female at the Missoula Shelter, Gets Caught With Meth

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On February 8, 2024, Missoula Police Department officers responded to a report of an assault that had just occurred at the Poverello Center. An employee reported that a male was hitting a female, Jane Doe, and throwing rocks. The employee told the officer Doe continued to tell the male to stop following her as she walked away from the Poverello.  

A case manager at the Poverello told the officer that the suspect was 19-year-old Billy Manywhitehorses. The officer knew both Jane Doe and Manywhitehorses, and knew them to self-identify as boyfriend-girlfriend. The officer was also told that both were seen entering the Clark Fork Inn.

The officer went to that location and saw multiple people inside one of the rooms. Doe said Manywhitehorses was not in the room, but he eventually exited from a place of concealment.  

Witnesses Explain What Happened

A witness told the officer that when he exited the Poverello, he saw that another man had already stopped Manywhitehorses and had him pinned on the ground. As soon as the male let Manywhitehorses up, Manywhitehorses threw a rock at him. Officers spoke to the male and he said he witnessed Manywhitehorses punching Doe. 

According to court documents, another officer contacted Manywhitehorses and advised him under Miranda. He told the officer that Doe was his girlfriend and that a verbal argument occurred when a male knocked him down. He said the male told him to leave Doe alone. Manywhitehorses claimed he was an arm’s length from Doe and no physical contact occurred. 

Officers Locate Drugs and Paraphernalia

During a search incident to arrest, an officer located a small clear plastic box containing baggies of methamphetamine and a metal “tooter” straw. Manywhitehorses was placed under arrest and transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. 

He is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, partner or family member assault, and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. 

On January 24, 2023, Manywhitehorses was arrested after he allegedly threatened people at the Poverello with a knife.

Read More: Missoula SWAT Responds for Man Who Threatened Poverello Staff

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