The trial of a Pella man accused of numerous drug and gun related felonies continues today at the Marion County Courthouse.
The jury was selected and evidence was submitted Monday, with witness testimony starting Monday afternoon for the trial of 66-year-old George Hettinga. More testimony is expected today for charges related to two incidents that happened in April 2017.
Hettinga faces numerous felony charges tied to two incidents in which police and emergency crews responded to Hettinga’s house at 993 240th place. On April 20th, 2017, the Mid Iowa Narcotics Enforcement task force submitted numerous charges following an investigation, including manufacturing marijuana, a class B felony, failure to affix a drug tax stamp and possession of firearms as a convicted felon, each a class D felony, as well as maintaining a drug house.
That morning, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Pella Police Department and Pella Ambulance personnel were dispatched to the home for a report of a possible overdose. Law enforcement officers and rescue personnel unsuccessfully attempted to resuscitate 24 year old Nicole R. Johnston, who died from an overdose, but no charges have been filed in her death. Hettinga also faces one count of felon in possession of a firearm, a class D felony, and possession of a controlled substance — marijuana, after officers found five guns on the property and said he was shooting them one week after the initial arrest, including an AK 47.