Grand Lake man caught with 40 grams of meth gets 4 years in community corrections

A Grand County man who pleaded guilty to a drug dealing charge was sentenced in late May to four years in community corrections.

On May 23, Matthew Etten, 48, was sentenced by District Court Judge Mary Hoak. The sentencing came nearly four months after he pleaded guilty to one count of felony possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture or distribute.

Etten’s guilty plea was part of an agreement worked out with the 14th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Under the agreement, Etten pleaded guilty to the most serious charge without any sentencing concessions. He faced a maximum of eight years.

For their part of the agreement, prosecutors agreed to dismiss five other criminal charges, including possession of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of indecent exposure.

Etten also received 13 days credit on his four-year sentence for time served. Also, he will be required to complete 48 hours of public service, and he will have to pay approximately $3,500 in fines and court costs.

When he was arrested in August, Etten’s address was listed for a residence on a county road near Grand Lake.

On Aug. 27, Etten was found passed out in his vehicle naked in the parking lot of a Granby gas station. A search revealed more than 40 grams of methamphetamine, large amounts of drug paraphernalia, drug kits and other items believed to be used for dealing drugs.