‘Rear-Naked Choke’ at the Poverello Center in Missoula
Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On September 28, 2025, a Missoula Police Department Officer was driving on W. Broadway St., near the Poverello Center, and he observed a male, later identified as 32-year-old Travis Johnson, positioned behind another male, John Doe. The officer observed Johnson had Doe in what is commonly referred to as a “rear-naked choke” with Johnson’s right arm encircling Doe’s neck and Doe’s trachea in the crook of Johnson’s elbow.
The officer then observed Johnson release Doe, at which time Doe’s body appeared limp as it fell to the cement, appearing as though his head bounced off the cement. Doe appeared motionless, and the officer believed him to be unconscious.
Upon exiting his patrol car, the officer began yelling for Johnson to stop. Johnson stated that Doe was trying to steal his money. Johnson was directed to place his hands behind his back, at which time he was detained.
The Officer was Concerned for Doe’s Well-being
The officer observed that Doe was still lying motionless on the cement. The officer observed that Doe appeared to be snoring and his eyes were closed. The officer reached down and made contact with Doe, who became responsive, lifting his head off the cement, looking at the officer with a dazed and blank stare. Doe then slowly lowered his head back onto the cement.
Johnson then said to Doe, “I just want my money, man, and you tried to hit my woman.” The officer asked Doe if he was ok, and Doe responded that he was not. The unidentified female told the officer that Doe had her $10. Doe then told the officer to let Johnson go. Doe stated Johnson did nothing wrong, that he was alright, and that the officer should let Johnson go.
According to court documents, another officer asked Doe what had happened, and Doe stated he did not remember but stated that Johnson had attempted to kill him. Doe declined being transported for medical, declined having his neck photographed, and asked to be on his way.
READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports
The officer then called the on-call probation officer. The PO requested that Johnson be taken to jail on a probation violation and requested a search be conducted on behalf of probation. The officer searched Johnson’s backpack and located one small Ziploc-style baggie of methamphetamine, three empty baggies, and unused syringes.
Johnson was arrested and transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. He is currently being charged with felony aggravated assault-bodily injury, felony aggravated assault-reasonable apprehension, and felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs. His bond was set at $100,000.
The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.