Prospect teenager Isabella Fazzari given suspended sentence for cash concealed in bedroom

A Prospect teenager who secreted almost $29,000 on a high shelf in her bedroom has learned her fate for being “used” to hide the proceeds of crime.

Isabella Fazzari handled wads of cash prior to her arrest in January 2023. Picture: Supplied by Courts SA.

A teenage hairdresser who hid $29,000 in her bedroom was “used” as a “safe person” to store cash on behalf of another man because she was “unlikely to be suspected”, a court has heard.

Isabelle Fazzari, 19, of Prospect appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday to be sentenced after earlier pleading guilty to a charge of recklessly dealing with the proceeds of indictable crime.

She had initially been charged in connection to the importation of 850g of cocaine secreted inside a puzzle box – but that charge was dropped in satisfaction of her plea to the lesser charge.

In sentencing, Magistrate Justin Wickens said Fazzari, who was 18 at the time of the offending, was arrested at work in January as part of an investigation into another man who was believed to be trading cocaine and other illicit drugs.

“A search of your bedroom located $28,900 in cash inside unsealed vacuum bags within an alcohol box on a high wardrobe shelf,” he said.

“Evidence obtained from your phone showed numerous photos of yourself and others, including (the man under investigation) posing with large wads of cash in $50 and $100 denominations.”

Isabella Fazzari handling cash prior to her arrest in January 2023. Picture: Supplied by Courts SA.

Isabella Fazzari outside court after an earlier hearing. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Mr Wickens said Fazzari had exchanged text messages with a woman, during which she “expressed concern” about holding cash for the man – who had been taken into custody before Fazzari’s arrest.

“There were concerns that if you spoke to (the man) over the phone while he was in custody that you would get raided, presumably by the police,” Mr Wickens said.

He said Fazzari was concerned about giving the money to a relative of the man because she said the situation was “too red hot”.

“I take this to mean that your belief may have been that police had been surveilling (the man’s relative) and that you might be seen giving him the money.

Mr Wickens said he “suspected” Fazzari “knew a lot more about the activities of (the man) than you would have the court accept”.

He said a psychologist opined that Fazzari’s offending came about because of her youth and naivety, which had allowed her to be exploited.

“You either missed or ignored the warning signs that you were being used,” he said.

Mr Wickens said he had been particularly concerned Fazzari had “allowed” herself to be used as a “safe person” to store the proceeds of crime.

“You, as a young woman who is employed, who has no criminal history and who lives at home are unlikely to be suspected.

“I am told that you realise that this is the case and that you will not allow the same mistake to be made in the future.”

Mr Wickens convicted Fazzari and imposed an 18-month good behaviour bond.