Man Impersonates FBI Agent, Runs Cars Off Busy Missoula Roads

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On January 25, 2024, at approximately 10:20 PM, law enforcement officers from the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office, Missoula Police Department, and Montana Highway Patrol were dispatched to a report of a person driving a 2024 Black Jeep Grand Cherokee that was attempting to stop other vehicles and claiming he was law enforcement.  

One complainant reported that she encountered the driver on the I90 on-ramp at Orange Street. She said the SUV pulled in front of her forcing her to come to a complete stop. The driver, later identified as 33-year-old Zach Sutton, approached her driver’s window and claimed he was an FBI Agent. She said she felt very scared. After Sutton left her, she saw him stop another vehicle. 

Sutton Continues to Pull Over Other Vehicles 

There was another reported incident of the vehicle blocking the East Missoula exit to the interstate. The trooper spoke to another person who reported that the SUV stopped all traffic by Panda Express. He saw a truck start driving and Sutton tried to run him off the road. The Jeep almost put the other truck into a light pole. 

While on scene, a truck pulled up and told a deputy that Sutton stopped him as well. He said he and Sutton grew up together. Sutton said he was an FBI agent, that there was a homicide in the area, and that he needed to see the male’s license and registration. When he called Zach by his name, it threw him off.  

The light turned green, and the male drove off. Sutton got behind his vehicle, chased him down, and began trying to drive him off the road. Sutton swerved his vehicle and the male had to slam his brakes to avoid a collision. 

Law Enforcement Locate Sutton 

An MHP trooper located Sutton’s vehicle near Mullan and Reserve and conducted a traffic stop. Sutton was agitated and argumentative about why he was stopped. According to court documents, he appeared to be under the influence of something. 

The trooper began a DUI investigation and could smell a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage. Sutton explained that he was a three-time felon for robbery and scored 6/6 on the HGN test. He was asked to do the walk-and-turn test.

Instead, Sutton took off running to his vehicle, got in, and attempted to drive away. An MPD officer and a Sheriff’s deputy had to forcibly remove him from his vehicle. Sutton was taken back into custody, read implied consent, and taken to the hospital for a blood draw. At the jail, Sutton provided a breath sample of .142 BrAC. 

Sutton is currently being charged with three counts of felony criminal endangerment, felony DUI, resisting arrest, and impersonation of a public servant. Sutton was convicted of his third DUI in Missoula Municipal Court on May 18, 2022, and he is currently on probation for robbery. 

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