Pettis not guilty of sex abuse

An Escambia County (Ala.) jury found George Newton Pettis not guilty of sexually molesting a young girl who claimed the abuse began at the age of 6 and was reported when she was 10-years old.

Pettis, who had an address listed as 422 Janice Lane, Brewton, was 57 years old when he was arrested in December, 2017, a charged with sodomy I, sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12 and enticing a child for immoral purposes. Pettis was facing a possible life sentence but following a jury trial last week at the Escambia County courthouse he was found not guilty of all charges and walked out of the courthouse a free man.

Reports at the time said the sheriff's office received the initial report on Sept. 26, 2017 in reference to Pettis having inappropriate contact and sexual abuse of children. An investigation involving the sheriff's department, the Escambia County Department of Human Resources and the Escambia County Child Advocacy Center led to warrants being signed for Pettis' arrest. Warrants stated the abuse was believed to have happened from 2012 through 2017.

He was accused of performing oral sex on the young victim and engaging in deviate sexual intercourse with the child.

When deputy sheriff's went to Pettis' house to serve him with the sex abuse warrants, they also reported they found a glass tube in his pocket that contained residue of methamphetamine. Pettis was then charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and later released on $250,000 bond.

Escambia County District Attorney Steve Billy said the drug charges are still pending and that his office will prosecute Pettis on those charges.