Man sentenced for meth

COEUR d'ALENE - A 21-year-old Coeur d'Alene man was sentenced to five years in state prison this week in Kootenai County District Court for possession of methamphetamine.

Michael Hunter, who will be eligible for parole after two years, was sentenced by Judge Ben Simpson. According to a press release from the Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Hunter was also convicted of violating a felony probation issued after a burglary conviction. The prison terms for the two charges will run concurrently.

Hunter, according to the release, was found in possession of two pipes on Jan. 9 that contained methamphetamine residue, and pleaded guilty to the offense in February.

"The court had attempted other options to curtail Mr. Hunter's drug use without success," Prosecuting Attorney Barry McHugh said in the release. "At this point, further probation likely means further felony convictions for Mr. Hunter. A two-year fixed prison term will allow Mr. Hunter a longer period of time to receive counseling and attend programs designed to assist him in avoiding further drug use.

"At his young age, I hope that he will take the opportunity to participate in available programs and change his ways while in prison so he can be a productive member of society."