Jonathon and Michelle Evans dodged jail for marijuana scheme to help their daughter

An internet search led these parents to believe they would only get a small fine for a commercial weed crop, a court has heard.

A husband and wife have dodged jail after an internet search led them astray and they came up with a dopey illegal project.

Jonathon Evans, 55, and Michelle Evans, 53, embarked on a “hare-brained scheme” to help their daughter flee domestic violence, a court heard.

The Adelaide District Court on Tuesday heard cops attended the couple’s Two Wells home in May of 2020 and found 6.1kg of marijuana worth $27,000-$34,000.

Police also found 13 globes and shades, light fittings, bud strippers and a carbon filter.

The Eyre couple pleaded guilty to commercial drug trafficking.

Jonathon and Michelle Evans were handed suspended sentences for commercial drug trafficking. Pictures: Facebook

“The enterprise was described by your lawyers as a hare-brained scheme and, frankly, it was,” Judge Julie McIntyre said during sentencing.

The court heard the Evans’ concocted the plan to raise funds for their daughter who was in a domestic violence living arrangement and to pay off other debts.

Mr Evans read online that you could grow up to four marijuana plants and only receive a fine of about $1000 if caught.

“Apparently in your anxiety to help your daughter, you thought this was a risk worth taking,” Judge McIntyre said.

The court heard Mr Evans grew 30 plants from seeds and then planted the four best female plants outdoors.

The plants grew from September, 2019 to February, 2020.

Mr Evans was only expecting to grow one to two kilograms of marijuana and was surprised when he harvested significantly more.

The court heard when police uncovered the marijuana, none of it had been sold.

“This ill-advised decision to embark upon what you now know to be serious criminal offending has had very serious repercussions for you both,” Judge McIntyre said.

“Far from assisting your financial difficulties, it has made things considerably worse.”

The court heard Mrs Evans was working for Australia Post but lost her job after disclosing her offending.

The court heard the husband-and-wife, who had been marijuana users before the offending, were now clean.

Judge McIntyre sentenced “the main offender”, Mr Evans to three years and three months jail, with a non-parole period of one year and 10 months.

Mrs Evans was sentenced to three years jail, with a non-parole period of one year and six months.
Both sentences were suspended on a three-year, $1000 good behaviour bond.

“You have been extremely fortunate today not to go to gaol,” Judge McIntyre said.