A Pella man recently convicted of numerous felonies relating to an incident last April, and who was declared a habitual offender in August for enhanced sentencing, was arrested this week and faces several new charges.
George Hettinga, 66, faces one count of distributing schedule I or II drugs to a minor, two counts of possession of a controlled substance – second offense, and possession of marijuana, second offense–all four counts listed as class B felonies, as well as keeping premises of a vehicle for a controlled substance violation and drug tax stamp violation.
According to court records, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office conducted a welfare check on his home just south of Pella Monday. The officer left the scene, but a phone call that was left on between the deputy and Hettinga remained connected, and the deputy overheard a conversation between Hettinga and two teenagers relating to marijuana and methamphetamines. Upon returning, Hettinga and the minors were searched with suspicion, and marijuana and related paraphernalia was found on site. After he was arrested, a search warrant at the home uncovered marijuana grow operations and multiple bottles of prescription drugs and amphetamines not prescribed to Hettinga. He was awaiting sentencing on October 18th after being found guilty on eight counts–seven of which were felonies, relating to an April 20th, 2017 arrest.
He was found by a judge to be a habitual offender on August 30th after hearing evidence, as well as a subsequent offender for being arrested for a second offense recently.