Former Army, search and rescue, pilot Ronald Alfred Maurer imported gun parts ‘to build like model planes’, SA court told

This ex-military search and rescue pilot has explained why he illegally brought guns into the country – and a sceptical judge has no choice but to accept it.

A former Australian Army counter-terror officer and decorated search and rescue pilot smuggled firearm parts into the country “for the fun of making guns the way some people like building model aeroplanes”, a court has heard.

On Thursday, famed Blackhawk helicopter captain Ronald Alfred Maurer – who rescued tourists from a Townsville shipwreck in 1991 – faced the District Court for sentencing submissions.

Though he admitted smuggling gun parts between the US and Australia in July 2021, Maurer denied allegations he had run the same scheme multiple times between 2017 and 2019.

On Thursday, prosecutors dropped those allegations – Andrew Culshaw, for Maurer, said that showed his client’s actions were at “the lower end of the scale of seriousness”.

Ronald Alfred Maurer outside court. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Mariuz

“He did not import these parts to make guns that would be sold to or used by anyone else,” he said.

“He did it for the fun of making guns … this sounds a bit childish, but in the same way some people like building model aeroplanes or boats.”

That prompted Judge Paul Muscat to reply: “But that’s not illegal … this is highly illegal.”

He said he was “extremely suspicious” about Maurer’s claim, but could do nothing about it.

“The obvious inference to be drawn is that he has (previously) ordered parts in the US and returned to this country with those parts,” he said.

“I would have been quite ready to draw that inference, but I cannot sentence him on that basis because the prosecution no longer advances it.

“I want to ask the obvious question – did he order firearm parts as the prosecution had submitted previously, and did he take possession of those parts in the US?”

Mr Culshaw confirmed he had but, when Judge Muscat asked if Maurer had “brought them back” to Australia, replied: “I have no submission to make.”

The court heard Maurer has worked in counter-terrorism and search and rescue operations around Australia and overseas. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Mariuz

Maurer, 57, of Adelaide, pleaded guilty to importing prohibited firearms parts into the country, and to lying to Border Force officers.

He admitted smuggling materials and instructions to build semiautomatic guns, including rifle barrels for which he had fashioned “fake knobs” to “disguise as gear sticks”.

Judge Muscat has criticised prosecutors over the case before, branding their work “very sloppy” during a hearing in May.

On Thursday, Mr Culshaw said Maurer “well knew” his actions were illegal “and does not resile from that”.

“This is a man who was complacent … he knew he was a person who is responsible with firearms and their parts, so he did something he should not have done,” he said.

He said Maurer had removed “all trace of guns” from his life, not renewed his firearms licence and “invited” the court to ban him from reobtaining it.

Judge Muscat remanded Maurer on continuing bail for sentencing next month.