Tucker Parsons Miller, 20, of Lolo is charged with aggravated animal cruelty and evidence tampering, both felonies.
Hayden Duane Barker, 18, and Matthew David Breeden, 20, the other men involved in the case, made initial appearances in court Feb. 4. Like Miller, they are both charged with felony aggravated animal cruelty. Breeden is also charged with a felony count of tampering with evidence.
The three men are accused of shooting seven pets with blowgun darts, including multiple cats and a Siberian husky, around Lolo in September and October. All of the animals survived.
More than a dozen other residents in the area reported finding darts on their property during that period.
Investigators with the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office centered on the three men after receiving a tip from a concerned resident who said he saw them purchase the blowgun and a large number of darts, according to an affidavit. The resident called authorities after seeing news stories about pets being shot in the Lolo area.
Security footage and purchase records from the store were used to identify a vehicle matching the description of one seen by a Lolo resident, tying the blowgun purchase to the defendants.
In an interview with investigators, Miller admitted to purchasing the blowgun and darts, the affidavit stated. He said the three shot at two or three “stray cats” one night because they were “kind of bored.” He also said the blowgun was later stolen from his truck.
In another interview, Miller allegedly admitted he lied the first time, but didn't provide a total number of animals shot at. Although investigators believe the shootings took place on at least four nights, Miller said they only shot at cats on two occasions.
In his first interview, Breeden admitted to shooting three cats, saying he was ashamed of his involvement in the incident, according to the affidavit.
In a later interview, Breeden allegedly said he didn't tell the full story the first time and admitted they shot multiple cats, but denied shooting a dog.
Breeden also allegedly said he and Miller took the blowgun into the mountains, destroyed it and buried it after news stories about the shootings began to circulate. He later helped officers recover the weapon.
Barker initially denied any knowledge of the attacks, the affidavit stated, but later admitted to having been with the other men on two different nights when they shot at cats.
In court Wednesday, Acting Justice of the Peace Suzanne Geer released Miller on his own recognizance, but said he is not to possess weapons, use alcohol or drugs, or enter bars or casinos. He also cannot have contact with the alleged victims in the crime, human or animal, or with either of the co-defendants in the case.
Miller’s attorney, John Smith, took issue with the final restriction, saying Miller is a very close friend with one of the men and that he and the others have already provided extensive testimony to police.
Geer said Barker and Breeden already have restrictions not to contact co-defendants, and that Smith could file a joint motion with their attorneys to have the restrictions lifted.
“As of now, no,” she said.
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| In June a news article said bunnies were being shot |
Like Barker and Breeden, Geer also ordered Miller to undergo a mental health evaluation, and set his preliminary hearing for Feb. 24.
If convicted, Miller faces up to two years in prison and a $2,500 fine on the aggravated animal cruelty charge, and up to 10 years in prison and a $50,000 fine for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.
(Missoulian - Feb 15, 2016)
Earlier:
- Montana: County animal control investigating bunnies shot with blow darts
- Montana: Sheriff's office investigating blowgun dart shootings of pets
- Montana: Tucker Miller, 20, Hayden Barker, 18, and Matthew Breeden, 20, face animal cruelty charges for shooting pets with blow darts
- Montana: Mental evaluations ordered for Hayden Barker, 18, and Matthew Breeden, 20; accused of shooting Lolo pets with blowgun darts
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