DUI Investigation Leads to Drug Arrest in Missoula
Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On May 21, 2025, a Missoula County Sheriff’s Office corporal was driving his patrol vehicle eastbound on Highway 12. The corporal observed a silver Nissan heading westbound with a headlight out. The corporal turned around and initiated a traffic stop of the Nissan. Prior to the Nissan stopping, the corporal observed the car swerving in its lane, but it came to a stop.
The corporal contacted the driver, 34-year-old Brent Hatfield, and the passenger. The corporal observed that Hatfield’s eyes were watery and that Hatfield’s speech was slightly slurred. Hatfield was unable to locate his driver’s license inside his wallet, but provided a copy of the vehicle registration to the corporal. While handing the registration paperwork to the corporal, it fell out of Hatfield’s hand.
Hatfield admitted he did not have insurance on the vehicle. The corporal inquired whether Hatfield had consumed alcohol recently. Hatfield responded, “I drank a little bit earlier, but not too much.”
The corporal had Hatfield exit the vehicle to begin the Standardized Field Sobriety tests. A deputy arrived on scene to conduct the tests. Hatfield displayed six out of six clues for impairment on the HGN test. The deputy observed signs of inebriation, and Hatfield advised that he last drank whiskey about seven hours earlier. Due to Hatfield’s physical limitations, the remainder of the tests were not successfully completed.
Hatfield was read the Preliminary Alcohol Screening Test Advisory and consented. The results of the PBT were a BrAC of .097. Hatfield was arrested for DUI. During the search incident to arrest, Hatfield told law enforcement he had methamphetamine and a methamphetamine pipe located “under his ball sack.”
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With Hatfield’s consent, the deputy retrieved the methamphetamine, observed as a white crystallized substance, and paraphernalia containing burnt residue. Hatfield was then transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. Hatfield was read the Implied Consent advisory and provided a breath sample. Hatfield’s reported alcohol content on the Intoxilyzer was a BrAC of .074.
According to court documents, the State did not anticipate pursuing a DUI charge. Hatfield is currently 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.