A man who kidnapped his ex-girlfriend in Solvang, prompting a manhunt across three states, has reached a plea deal with prosecutors.
Joseph Hetzel pleaded guilty Tuesday to kidnapping in exchange for a sentence of 11 years in prison.
In 2017, Hetzel kidnapped Virginia Paris and took her to Las Vegas. After three days, she escaped by telling a hotel clerk she was a kidnapping victim. The clerk called police and Hetzel was arrested.
This is Hetzel’s second strike. He has a felony conviction from 2006.
He is scheduled to be formally sentenced on February 21.
