Jean Michael La Reservee sentenced in Townsville District Court for supplying drugs
A young ADF soldier was acting as a “middleman” in a plot to provide drugs to friends at an army ball, a court has heard.
A young former ADF soldier has received a slap on the wrist after landing himself in court for supplying cocaine.
Jean Michael La Reservee, who was discharged from the ADF following the offences, appeared in Townsville District Court on Friday.
He is one of three 3rd Brigade soldiers accused of drug supply charges, along with Brett McMaster and Jack Alex Cullen, who have not yet entered pleas.
Crown prosecutor Miranda Hickey told the court the 23-year-old’s involvement in the drug syndicate was revealed when police searched Mr Cullen’s phone and found messages to La Reservee.
“Police reviewed messages from an encrypted application, Threema, and determined that the defendant had facilitated supply for cocaine on six occasions,” she said.
The largest amount of cocaine supplied was count one of four grams for $1400, and the remaining five counts were for acts preparatory to supplying a larger amount of drugs, the court heard.
“The defendant has effectively acted as a middleman, supplying cocaine to at least four of his associates ,” Ms Hickey said.
The court heard La Reservee initially denied any involvement in the supply of cocaine in an interview with police.
Barrister Tom Hancock said the cocaine was to be used by La Reservee and his friends at an army ball, and his client received no commercial benefit from the supply.
“They would be consumed in that social context,” he said.
Mr Hancock said La Reservee was put in a “difficult position” as the initial interview with police occurred at the army base, in the presence of several of his superiors.
Judge Ian Dearden said he hopes La Reservee can learn from the circumstances, and live a drug and crime free life.
“I have no doubt you’ve deeply disappointed family and friends and all for the sake of some coke,” he said.
La Reservee pleaded guilty to six counts of supplying dangerous drugs and one count of possessing a thing involved in the supply of dangerous drugs.
He was handed a $5,000 fine with no conviction recorded.
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Originally published as Jean Michael La Reservee sentenced in Townsville District Court for supplying drugs
