Toledo man convicted of February shooting faces more than 2 decades in prison

A Toledo man is facing up to 22½ years in prison after being convicted of involuntary manslaughter and a probation violation, among other charges.

Matthew Sanders, 29, of the 600 block of Locust Street, entered an Alford plea to involuntary manslaughter in the death of Travis Williams, 32. He also pleaded guilty to the illegal conveyance of drugs into a government facility, violation of his probation that stemmed from a previous robbery conviction, and possessing weapons while under disability or while on probation.

An Alford plea is a plea in which defendants maintain their innocence but acknowledge the state has enough evidence to convict them.

On Feb. 24, Mr. Williams was found with a gunshot wound to the neck on the 800 block of North Huron Street. He was later pronounced dead at Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center.

The involuntary manslaughter charge, which is a first-degree felony, comes with a potential sentence of three to 11 years. The firearm specification carries a mandatory additional three-year sentence.

Sanders could serve an additional 2½ years if he misbehaves in prison.

The illegal conveyance charge stems from drugs being found on Sanders after he turned himself in to authorities. It comes with a sentence of up to three years. The weapons under disability charge also comes with a sentence of up to three years.

A sentencing hearing for Sanders will be held at 9 a.m. Aug. 30.