Seven South Australians whose crimes were exposed by social media
From advertising drugs on social media to filming their own crimes, bold SA criminals are boasting about their wrongdoings on the internet and police are waiting.
Police & Courts
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South Australian criminals are making police officer’s jobs easier than ever before, by splashing their wrongdoings all over the internet.
From advertising drugs on social media to posting videos of themselves committing offences, it appears the common saying “pics or it didn’t happen” is becoming a regular occurrence in our technology driven world.
Police are playing Big Brother on a new generation of dumb criminals and are charging people as a result.
A social media group designed to aid the sale of illegal drugs in South Australia was removed from Facebook on Wednesday.
Weed People, Adelaide was a public group with more than 900 members where those were seeking marijuana interacted. It was active on the social media platform until last week.
Scroll down to read how these South Australians got caught on social media and ended up in court
“SAPOL are aware of the Weed People Adelaide social media pages and police continue to monitor the content of such pages and will take action when required,” a statement from police on Wednesday said.
“People using these pages need to understand that dealing in drugs is unlawful and that they should expect a visit from police.”
In one recent post, a man wrote, “Anyone near Port Adelaide looking for any green message me.”
Another posted on April 20: “Hey all new to group, I’m a dealer in the Northern suburbs”.
In other posts, people sought more sinister drugs, including someone asking, “can anyone help with LSD”, otherwise known as acid.
Similarly, some SA drug dealers have been hiding under a veil of anonymity on an encrypted app used by children.
Instant messaging service Discord hosts hundreds of drug-related communities, where users buy and sell illicit drugs with anonymous usernames.
Originally designed for video game discussions, Discord’s anonymity is being exploited by drug dealers to sell cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, ecstasy, LSD and other substances.
SA Police said in a statement: “(We) are aware that controlled substances are sold on a variety of online platforms. It is concerning that drugs are sold in the community in both online and physical environments where young people have a presence.”
A former online dealer told the Sunday Mail that Discord was appealing to both buyers and sellers due to its encryption and anonymity.
“Compared to Snapchat, Discord is like another step removed. It’s totally anonymous and incredibly hard to trace back to the user if you use a burner email and fake details,” the former online dealer said.
“At one point, I ran a server with over 1000 people on it and, being a key figure there, would move a lot of cash every week.”
Here are seven offenders who came undone through social media exposure and found themselves in court.
Jak Noack – Snapchat drug dealer
A “very busy” drug dealer’s thriving Snapchat business became his undoing, after he was busted selling drugs to multiple clients in a private group.
Jak Bailey Noack, 22, could see only “dollar signs” while he was running his illegal business, despite preparing to be a new father.
The Adelaide District Court heard police searched Noack’s Berri premises on February 15, 2021.
They found $1900, a tick list, marijuana and multiple weapons, including throwing knives and a crossbow.
Noack’s phone was analysed and they found him logged into a Snapchat account under the name ‘Stona11’.
He had a private Snapchat group named “Jak’s private” created in June, 2020.
The court heard Noack made 294 posts in the group over an eight-month period, including photos and videos of drugs advertised for sale.
“You sent and received messages from more than 60 individual accounts organising the sale of a range of controlled and prescription drugs,” Judge Simon Stretton said during sentencing.
Noack was selling multiple drugs, including marijuana, MDMA, cocaine and LSD and published price lists for the drugs in a range of quantities.
Noack, of Loxton, had pleaded guilty to five counts of drug trafficking and possessing prohibited weapons.
In March, Judge Stretton sentenced Noack to four years and three months in jail, with a non-parole period of three years and six months.
Paul Krivitch – S*** Adelaide sensation
A drunk driver who hitched a ride on a towing truck to the impound yard was exposed by social media.
Paul Krivitch, 57, made a “very foolish” decision when he got behind the wheel a second time to rescue his car while over four times the limit.
The Adelaide Magistrates Court heard Krivitch was stopped by police on February 27, 2021 on Greenhill Rd for a random breath test.
Krivitch returned a reading of 0.205 and was issued with an immediate 12-month licence disqualification.
The court heard police called a tow truck and arranged for Krivitch’s car to be impounded.
“Your vehicle was loaded onto the tow truck and as it drove away to the impound yard you hitched a ride on the tailgate without the knowledge of the driver,” Mr Smolicz said.
“You arrived at the impound yard without permission, you entered the car and started the vehicle and drove the car to your home.
“It’s not surprising your journey on the back of the tow truck attracted attention and you were observed by members of the public who filmed you.”
The court heard the footage was posted on social media which came to the attention of police, who then arrested Krivitch.
The Norwood man had previously pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including drink driving, driving disqualified and travelling on a part of a vehicle not designed for passengers.
In June, Krivitch was sentenced to one month and 22 days’ jail, suspended on a one-year good behaviour bond of $500.
He was also fined $1100 and disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Mitchell O’Connell Yates – Social media self-incriminator
A young man narrowly avoided jail for jumping on a police car, damaging it, and posting it on social media with NWA’s ‘F--- Tha Police’ playing.
Mitchell O’Connell Yates, 23, pleaded guilty to property damage and breach of bail agreement.
Police prosecutor John Taliangas told Magistrate Ben Sale police found their vehicle on Woodsons Lane near Hindley St had the roof damaged on November 20, 2019.
Mr Taliangas said CCTV vision showed a man jumping on the vehicle and through facial recognition, Yates was identified as a suspect.
After being interviewed he admitted to jumping on the vehicle.
When asked about the video of him on the police car, Yates said he posted in frustration after being charged with the property damage.
In May 2021, Mr Sale sentenced Yates to a one-year good behaviour bond and to pay compensation for the property damage of $4191.34.
Ryan Hooper – Facebook Marketplace lurer
A drug addicted teenager was on a downward spiral when he used a knife to rob a man selling a phone.
Ryan Allan Hooper, 19, avoided being jailed by the Adelaide District Court for using a fake name to lure a man from Facebook.
The court heard Hooper sent the victim a Facebook message, pretending to be a person named Jeff on January 12, 2021.
He asked the victim if the phone he advertised was still available and if he could deliver it to Elizabeth Vale.
The victim arrived and handed Hooper the phone through his car window.
“You then began stepping backwards, the victim asked you what you were doing and told you to give the phone back,” Judge Liesl Chapman said during sentencing.
“You walked back a few more steps and then pulled a knife out from under your jumper.
“You then started to step towards the victim and at the same time began jabbing the knife forward in a stabbing motion in front of him.”
Hooper, of Elizabeth Vale, had previously pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery.
In September, Judge Chapman sentenced Hooper to one year and four months jail, with a non-parole period of eight months.
The sentence was suspended on a three-year good behaviour bond, with supervision for two years.
Hooper was also ordered to complete 50 hours of community service within 12 months.
Aiden Morris – Wanted crim turns himself in
A man who spat in the face of a bus driver after he was refused entry turned himself in because a friend told him he was a Facebook wanted person.
Aiden Wade Pike Morris, 21, targeted the driver, who was “merely doing his job”, on January 22, 2021 at the Noarlunga interchange, south of the Adelaide CBD.
The Adelaide Magistrates Court was told that Morris was “coughing heavily” when he tried to board the bus about 7.30am.
“The victim refused the defendant travel due to his employer’s Covid/sickness policy, which gives him the right to refuse travel if he suspects a person has signs or symptoms of sickness,” a police prosecutor said.
She said Morris became angry and entered the bus before coughing and twice spitting at the driver.
On one occasion, the court was told, his saliva landed on the victim’s face and glasses.
Morris then left the bus, walked around to the driver’s side window and threw a rock, causing the window to crack.
The court heard Morris handed himself in to police after a friend contacted him saying he looked like the person in a SAPOL Facebook post wanted for questioning.
Morris pleaded guilty to two counts of committing a prohibited act with human biological material and one count of property damage.
In February 2021, Mr Fahey recorded convictions and sentenced Morris to a month behind bars.
However, taking into account time already served, he suspended the final 13 days on a $200 12-month good behaviour bond.
Renee Underwood – Snapchat groomer
A Riverland teacher left her victim’s parents with “overwhelming guilt” for trusting her after she groomed their 14-year-old son for sex.
Renee Jade Underwood, 34, wept as she was jailed by the Adelaide District Court in October for exploiting her position of power to meet her own emotional needs.
The court heard Underwood, who was married, was teaching at a Riverland school when she met the 14-year-old student and told him on Snapchat she had developed feelings for him.
“You admitted to him that you were having sexual thoughts and that you wanted to engage in sexual activity with him,” Judge Schammer said.
The court heard Underwood explained the sexual acts she wanted to do with the student.
“You sent the complainant a photograph depicting your partially exposed breasts, you prompted him to send a revealing photograph of himself in exchange,” Judge Schammer said.
The court heard Underwood also drove the victim home from school, despite it being against school policy.
Judge Schammer sentenced Underwood to one year and six months in jail, with a non-parole period of eight months.
Jonathon Henke – Chaos creep
A man was arrested by police in a hotel room after he bargained with a person he believed was a mother to have sex with her eight-year-old child.
Jonathon David Henke, 46, had an extraordinary lie to tell police when he was caught red-handed in a hotel room waiting.
The Adelaide District Court in March heard Henke posted an advertisement on a website called ChaosAds on October 2, 2020.
“The advertisement was titled ‘male looking for mother and very young daughter’,” Judge Adam Kimber said during sentencing.
Police saw the advertisement and contacted Henke.
Henke sent a series of disturbing messages about the eight-year-old and offered to pay $500 to engage in sexual activity with her.
The court heard Henke booked a hotel room where he could have sex with the child and asked the woman to bring child exploitation material.
Henke arrived at the hotel room on October 23, 2020 and brought condoms and lubricant with him.
Police arrived and arrested Henke.
“You lied to the police and said you had gone along with the communications with the intention of reporting to the police the person with whom you are communicating,” Judge Kimber said.
The Nuriootpa man pleaded guilty to possessing child exploitation material and procuring a child for sexual activity.
Judge Kimber sentenced Henke to five years and eight months jail, with a non-parole period of three years and six months.
The sentence was backdated to October 23, 2020.
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