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Arrest made in connection with fatal Missoula stabbing

Joshua Paniagua of Florence has been arrested
Joshua Paniagua, 18, of Florence
Posted at 3:50 PM, Jan 07, 2020
and last updated 2020-01-07 17:57:51-05

MISSOULA — A man has been arrested in connection with a fatal stabbing in Missoula .

Joshua Paniagua of Florence, 18 years old, has been arrested in connection with the incident that happened in the 2200 block of South Avenue West on January 1st.

He is being held on criminal sale of drugs, tampering with physical evidence, and privacy in communications.

The case has been sent to the Missoula County Attorney's Office to determine what charges will be filed in connection with the incident.

Montana Code provides the following information about a charge of "privacy in communications":

  • 45-8-213. Privacy in communications. (1) Except as provided in 69-6-104 , a person commits the offense of violating privacy in communications if the person knowingly or purposely:
  • (a) with the purpose to terrify, intimidate, threaten, harass, or injure, communicates with a person by electronic communication and threatens to inflict injury or physical harm to the person or property of the person or makes repeated use of obscene, lewd, or profane language or repeated lewd or lascivious suggestions;
  • (b) uses an electronic communication to attempt to extort money or any other thing of value from a person or to disturb by repeated communications the peace, quiet, or right of privacy of a person at the place where the communications are received


(JANUARY 3, 2020) The Missoula County Sheriff's Office has identified Benjamin Mousso as the young man who died of stab wounds sustained at a casino earlier this week.

Mousso, 18 years old, was from the Hamilton area in Ravalli County.

Missoula police said on Thursday that all parties involved in the stabbing have been identified, located, and interviewed.

No arrests have been made at this time as claims of self-defense are being investigated.

Once the investigation is complete, the Missoula County Attorney's Office will determine if any charges will be filed.