Cd'A visitor charged with kidnapping child

A 29-year-old couch-surfing at a Coeur d’Alene home is being charged with fondling a 7-year-old who lived at the residence.

Nathan H. Matzinger appeared Monday in First District Court, where his bond was set at $200,000, prosecutors said.

Matzinger is charged with kidnapping and lewd conduct with a minor under 16 years old. Both felonies carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.

According to court records, the charges stem from contact with a child Saturday night while Matzinger was a guest at a home on the 1400 block of Nora Avenue in Coeur d’Alene. The kidnapping charge accuses Matzinger of “willfully and without lawful authority detain a child under the age of 16 … with the intent to keep or conceal her from her custodial parent, or detain her against her will.”

Police said Matzinger returned to the area from Maryland via Seattle and was staying at a friend’s house while looking for a job in Coeur d’Alene.

Matzinger’s criminal history includes two felony drug arrests, according to police.

A police report said Matzinger was trying to purchase a firearm a couple of days before his arrest.

Matzinger’s preliminary hearing will be within 14 days if he does not post bond, and within 21 days if he is released from custody.