Man awaits sentencing in burglary cases

SANDPOINT — A North Idaho man awaits sentencing in two burglary cases out of Bonner and Boundary counties.

Matthew Colin Henslee, 26, was supposed to be sentenced in Bonner County on Thursday in First District Court, but sentencing was delayed for a second time awaiting proceedings from the Boundary County case.

Although the cases were filed separately, as allegations happened in different counties, the court cases are proceeding together through the court process. Items from the Boundary County burglary were seized in Bonner County when Henslee was apprehended four days afterward.

In total, Henslee is facing a charge of burglary, obstructing law enforcement, and

grand theft charges from two burglaries taking place in October 2021.

On Oct. 2, Henslee is accused of burglarizing a Boundary County Airbnb south of Naples on U.S. 95 near Shiloh Loop. According to court documents, Henslee allegedly took jewelry, credit cards, and cellphones from the rental. However, the probable cause affidavit indicated that Henslee left a cellphone belonging to him at the scene.

Three days later on Oct. 5, Henslee was apprehended after a brief foot chase in Ponderay, according to court documents. Henslee led Ponderay Police Officer Cameron Simeral on a brief foot chase beginning in front of Northwest Autobody off of U.S. 95. Henslee ignored Simeral’s commands to stop walking, and instead broke out into a sprint fleeing the officer, according to the probable cause affidavit.

After he was apprehended, cellphones from the Boundary County burglary were discovered in Henslee’s possession, according to documents. Also discovered were two firearms which were reported stolen from vehicles in Ponderay including a semi-automatic .380 handgun, and an AR 5.56 caliber pistol with a 7.5-inch barrel.

Henslee took a plea deal on Nov. 16, in the Bonner County case, pleading guilty to obstructing officers, and one grand theft charge. In exchange for the guilty pleas, two counts of burglary and a petit theft charge were dropped.

Sentencing was delayed in the Bonner County case on Feb. 7, and again on Thursday due to ongoing proceedings in the Boundary County case.

First District Judge Barbara Buchanan is presiding over both cases, and continued the sentencing in the Bonner County case since either of the potential sentences could affect the other.

If convicted, Henslee could face a maximum penalty of 14 years and a $5,000 fine for grand theft of stolen goods, 10 years and a $50,000 fine for burglary, and a year in jail and a $1,000 fine for obstructing officers. He is currently incarcerated at the Bonner County Jail, his next court date is on April 20.

Henslee has 10 previous cases out of Boundary, Bonner, and Kootenai counties in the Idaho court database beginning when he was a juvenile. Charges include driving under the influence, felony possession of marijuana, resisting arrest, unlawful entry, and probation violation.