Hayden man sent to prison

A Hayden man was recently sentenced to prison following his conviction on possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of a protection order. 

Matthew James Saunders, 42, was sentenced by District Judge Regina McCrea to a unified 14-year prison sentence with parole eligibility after four years, according to the Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

A press release said a temporary protection order was issued in December 2025 and prohibited Saunders from contacting several people, including a 17-year-old female.

"However, the child’s mother grew suspicious that Saunders and the child were sneaking around and meeting in violation of the temporary protection order," the release said. "Believing that Saunders and the child were at a hotel, the child’s mother called law enforcement to investigate."

Deputies located Saunders and the teenager in a hotel room and, upon searching the hotel room, located drug paraphernalia and over two ounces of methamphetamine, the release said.

Possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver is a felony, punishable by up to life in prison. Possession of paraphernalia and violation of a temporary protection order are misdemeanors, each punishable by up a year in jail. 

Saunders was sentenced Oct. 9.