WAILUKU — A man who entered a long-term residential treatment program after he was arrested with a quantity of methamphetamine was placed on four years’ probation Friday.

George Ballao Jr., 63, was sentenced under terms of a plea agreement calling for him to complete the Sand Island Treatment Center program on Oahu.

He was in transitional housing and had almost completed the program, Deputy Public Defender Danielle Sears said.

Ballao was arrested Sept. 2, 2017, when police executed a search warrant for him and reported seizing a waistpack containing methamphetamine packaged for sale. In a search of his residence, police reported finding more methamphetamine and a ledger.

Court records show he was released on supervision in March 2020.

At first, Ballao said he didn’t want to enter the Sand Island program. “But after being here for this period of time, I realize I have a lot of character defects,” he said, appearing by videoconference for his sentencing. “I’m working on that.

“My goal is to come back and give back to the community,” Ballao said. “I apologize to the court for wreaking havoc in the community.”

Ballao had pleaded no contest to second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, with other charges dismissed in exchange for his plea.

Second Circuit Judge Kirstin Hamman followed the plea agreement between the defense and prosecution in placing Ballao on four years’ probation.

She noted Ballao’s accomplishments, including serving in the military and working as a crane operator for 30 years, as well as his history of drug addiction.

“You have basically a lifetime of drug addiction,” Hamman said. “You’ve spent time in state prison, federal prison. You’ve had numerous opportunities at treatment. You’ve even completed treatment before. Really, this is the last straw, I believe, for you. If you relapse and use drugs again, you will end up dead or in prison.

“It is time for you to make amends to your children, your wife, your parents. It’s time to stop taking from the community and making amends with the community. This is your last chance.”

Ballao received credit for about four months he previously spent in jail.

* Lila Fujimoto can be reached at lfujimoto@mauinews.com.