Bodhi Vincenzo Amendolia in court for supplying drugs

A court has heard how text messages exposed a teenager’s drug deal after he was convicted of a police chase and threatening a young woman with a gun just months earlier.

Bodhi Vincenzo Amendolia. Picture: Facebook

A series of text messages has exposed a young man’s foray into the world of drug dealing.

Bodhi Vincenzo Amendolia, 19, appeared via video link in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on October 13, 2023 represented by defence lawyer Ben Rynderman.

Amendolia’s parents supported him from the public gallery.

The court heard police visited Mr Amendolia’s home in July, 2023 and found $250 in cash, seven shotgun rounds, a suspected stolen registration plate and a total of 171 Xanax pills.

Mr Rynderman said his client made admissions to police officers which led to the search of his phone and he had accepted responsibility of his offending.

Text messages on the phone revealed a conversation between Amendolia and another person, who had asked if “buying in bulk” would be cheaper

After settling on buying a 10 pack of Xanax, the person said he would “come round and get it” off Amendolia.

There was no evidence the transaction had been completed.

The cash was suspected to be proceeds from a drug offence.

Mr Rynderman told the court the supply charge was on the “lower end of the spectrum.”

The court heard Amendolia was initially medicating with Xanax for several months which turned into “addiction” when his prescription ended.

Mr Rynderman said he hoped staying in prison has acted as “detoxification” for Amendolia.

Bodhi Amendolia was sentenced in Maroochydore Court House for supplying drugs. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Police prosecutor Brendan Newman told the court Amendolia was previously sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment in January, 2023 and released on parole in February for a “protracted police chase” which involved dangerous conduct of a weapon.

Mr Amendolia had his parole suspended after his latest offending and had spent 72 days in pre-sentence custody following his arrest in July.

Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin said it was unusual for a teenager during their first appearance in court to have been given a jail sentence.

Mr Rynderman told the court a job was available for him in a waste disposal business and he had previously worked as a landscaper and painter’s apprentice as well as steel fixing.

Amendolia pleaded guilty to driving with a disqualified licence, possessing a pipe, possessing drugs, possessing ammunition, possessing cash suspected to be drug proceeds, possessing suspected stolen registration plates, supplying drugs and possessing a mobile phone used in the commission of a crime.

Amendolia was sentenced to one year of probation with immediate parole eligibility and he was disqualified from driving for two years.

His 72 days in pre-sentence custody were not declared as time served. Convictions were recorded.