UPDATE: 12:45 p.m. - November 15, 2025
MISSOULA — The former Troy police officer, who was wanted for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, turned himself in to authorities in Southern California on Friday afternoon.
Layton Artigo's arrest by the Santa Ana Police Department was the result of an investigation by the Lincoln County Sheriff's and Attorney's offices.
Artigo will face extradition back to Lincoln County for prosecution, according to Lincoln County Sheriff Darren Short.
No other details were provided about the case, but anyone with information regarding the investigation is asked to contact the LCSO detective division at (406) 293-4112.
This is a developing story, and MTN will continue to follow developments.
(UPDATE: 10:26 a.m. - November 15, 2025)
MISSOULA — Former Troy police officer Layton Artigo, who was wanted for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, turned himself in to southern California authorities Friday afternoon.
According to a social media post by the City of Troy, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and the Montana Department of Criminal Investigation are currently working with authorities to extradite Artigo back to Lincoln County.
The social media post did not give specifics of the location where Artigo turned himself in.
No other information was provided about the case.
This is a developing story, and MTN will continue to follow developments.
ORIGINAL REPORT: Friday, November 14, 2025
LIBBY — The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office is searching for a person of interest in a case involving tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.
Lincoln County Sheriff Darren Short says a report was made on Wednesday morning about suspicious activity involving several juvenile females and a 23-year-old man, who has been identified as Layton Artigo.
Detectives began an investigation, conducted several interviews with the females before applying for a search warrant of Artigo’s residence.
Sheriff Short says after the search warrant was executed, an arrest warrant was obtained for Artigo for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.
Artigo is described as 6’7” tall and weighs approximately 350 pounds.
Charges have been filed at this time, with Short stating an investigation into the incident is underway.
Anyone with information regarding Artigo’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office detective division at 406-293-4112.
