Builder Michael Alderson pleads guilty to being found with tainted cash, handgun

A Sunshine Coast builder spent almost two years on remand after racking up more than a dozen charges which included being found with almost $120,000 in cash and a firearm.

Michael John Alderson (left) faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Picture: Facebook

A Buderim builder has been granted immediate parole after he was found with almost $120,000 in dirty cash, a tainted luxury watch and a loaded handgun.

His latest jail sentence was not the first for Michael John Alderson after he received three years’ prison in the Supreme Court in Brisbane in September for possessing a drug over the schedule.

In Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Wednesday, the 30-year-old admitted to a slew of left over charges which were “intertwined” with his drug offending.

Details of these crimes were heard after Alderson pleaded guilty to 14 charges including three counts of driving disqualified, two of possessing dangerous drugs, two of possessing tainted property and one of possessing a weapon.

Alderson outside court. Picture: Sam Turner

Police prosecutor Mark Burrell said Alderson was caught with almost $120,000 in dirty cash in Pelican Waters on June 10, 2022. He was also found with a small amount of meth, GHB and a pipe.

Alderson was also found with cash and a Rolex Watch on June 28, 2022 at Mountain Creek which was suspected of being tainted property.

The court heard the 30-year-old was caught driving disqualified in Palmview, Tanawha and Banyo in 2023.

More charges were levelled at the builder after he was found with a “loaded” handgun, scales, ammunition and prescription drugs on May 9 in 2023 at Buderim.

Alderson was remanded in custody on these charges and other serious offences where he spent 633 days in jail. He was released on parole on September 19 last year following his sentence in the Supreme Court.

He pleaded guilty to all charges. Picture: Sam Turner

Defence solicitor Jarrod Bell said Alderson had been tracking well since being released on parole due to having steady work and family support.

Mr Bell also tendered letters to the court from relatives and his employer.

Magistrate Chris Callaghan believed if the 30-year-old’s charges were dealt with in the superior court, they would have extended Alderson’s jail sentence by about six to eight months.

He opted to jail Alderson for 20 months but granted immediate parole once again, acknowledging his good progress after being released. His time in custody was not declared as time served.

The Buderim man was also disqualified from driving for two years.