Camping Ordinance Leads to Drug Bust in Missoula
Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On December 5, 2025, a Missoula Police Department officer was near the Poverello Center and observed a red 1996 Chevrolet pickup. The officer recalled getting an email from Black Knight security, who notified law enforcement that the occupants of the truck were sleeping overnight in the parking lot, which is not allowed per the camping in the city ordinance. When the officer drove by, she observed two people sleeping inside the pickup.
The officer made contact with the occupants via the driver’s side window. 52-year-old Timothy Zahn was located in the front driver’s seat, and 47-year-old Shawn Cobell was in the passenger seat. While speaking with the occupants, the officer observed a clear glass pipe sitting next to Timothy by the center console. The officer recognized the pipe as one that is used to smoke methamphetamine. Additionally, another officer observed a butane torch on the driver’s side floorboard.
The officer asked both occupants to exit the vehicle. One officer began speaking with Timothy, and the other spoke with Shawn. Shawn consented to the officer searching her person for any drugs or paraphernalia. During the search, the officer located a hypodermic needle and tinfoil in her front sweatshirt pocket. The officer then placed Shawn under arrest.
Shawn Admitted That the Meth was Hers
Shawn told the officer that she found the syringe in the truck. The officer observed the syringe contained approximately 20 units of methamphetamine. The officer read Shawn her Miranda rights, which Shawn stated she understood and agreed to speak. When asked what was in the syringe, Shawn stated methamphetamine, stating she was a user.
During this same time, the other was speaking with Timothy, who was the registered owner of the vehicle. The officer learned that Timothy was on probation. Timothy was placed in handcuffs and placed in the back of the officer’s patrol car. The officer then contacted Probation and Parole, who requested a search of Timothy’s vehicle on their behalf.
The officer read Timothy his Miranda rights, to which Timothy acknowledged that he understood and agreed to answer questions. Timothy admitted that the torch and pipe were his and stated there would be no drugs in his vehicle. Officers searched Timothy’s vehicle, finding a clear ziplock bag that contained methamphetamine. The baggie was tucked under a blanket on the passenger seat, near the center console. When asked if he knew of the suspected methamphetamine in his vehicle, Timothy stated he did not.
READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports
Officers Found More Drug Paraphernalia
Additionally, officers located a blue tourniquet between the front driver’s seat and the center console and numerous hypodermic syringes found in a bag with feminine items, some with Shawn’s name on them. Both Shawn and Timothy denied ownership of the bag of methamphetamine.
Both Shawn and Timothy were placed under arrest and were transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. They are both 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.