Jacinta Maree Pearson busted at Rockhampton motel with methamphetamines

A convicted drug trafficker who was originally handed a lenient sentence in lieu of an agreement to give evidence in another case was busted with a large amount of meth when police arrested her for a lesser offence.

Jacinta Maree Pearson.

A convicted drug trafficker who was originally handed a lenient sentence in lieu of an agreement to give evidence in another case was busted in possession of a large amount of methamphetamines when police arrested her for failing to testify.

Jacinta Maree Pearson, 39, was sentenced in May 2023 for trafficking methamphetamines and marijuana between December 25, 2021, and April 5, 2022.

The mum, who had about 40 customers, received a three-year prison term with 260 days presentence custody declared as time already served and was released immediately on parole.

During sentencing, proceedings in the Supreme Court in Rockhampton on August 23, 2024, Justice Graeme Crow said Pearson “had been given a decreased sentence for the trafficking based on agreeing to give evidence” and she failed to do that.

Crown prosecutor Monique Bros-Wilshire said Pearson’s sentence was reopened in April 2024 and her three years was increased to four years, giving her a parole eligibility date of April 12, 2024.

Justice Crow said a warrant for Pearson’s arrest was issued on November 9, 2023, after she failed to give evidence.

Police arrested her on November 25 at the Welcome Home Hotel on George Street, Rockhampton, at 7.15am and found her in possession of 3.639g of pure meth in 4.923g of substance along with 18g of marijuana heads, used pipes and needles, a small used marijuana pipe and a grinder.

The court heard this was the mother-of-four’s third period in prison.

Justice Crow said Pearson’s children live with their father and Pearson, when not in prison, has restricted access to them.

“You’re your own worst enemy if you go near people with drugs,” he said.

Pearson pleaded guilty to possessing more than two grams of a schedule one drug, two of possessing drug utensils, one of possessing drugs and one of obstructing police.

Justice Crow said ordinarily he would have sentenced Pearson to two years prison, but because this sentence had to be cumulative on top of the four year prison trafficking sentence she had already served, she would only be eligible for parole.

He sentenced Pearson to six months prison, cumulative on top of the four year trafficking term, with parole eligibility from September 3, 2024.