Ravalli County Sheriff reported that 35-year-old Nicholas Armidon was arrested on Monday after Deputies located what appeared to be a home made explosive device in his motel room at the Budget Inn in Darby. Sheriff Holton said Deputies initially contacted Armidon in the early morning hours today, due to an outstanding arrest warrant for a different offense.
When Deputies retrieved personal belongings from the room at Armidon’s request, they noticed the device and secured the room and evacuated the rest of the motel. Approximately 12 people were relocated because of the incident.
Explosives technicians from the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office and an explosives trained canine from the National Institutes of Health Police assisted in the subsequent search warrant service and in making the devices safe.
Sheriff Holton said investigators believe that all of the devices have been recovered and are now safe. There is no indication that additional devices are in the community.
Sheriff Holton thanked the MCSO and NIH Police for their assistance. More information will be released as investigators continue to work the case. Below are pictures of the recovered device before and after it was made safe.