Former SANFLW player Jessica Eichner sentenced after assisting drug-dealing ex-boyfriend

A former SANFLW player was being controlled by her ex-boyfriend when she agreed to look after his cocaine – but then spilt all to the cops, a court has heard.

Jessica Eichner played in North Adelaide’s 2019 Grand Final loss to South Adelaide. Photo: Facebook

A former SANFLW grand finalist has learnt her fate after agreeing to stash her controlling ex-boyfriend’s cocaine in a “naive” and “ill-advised” effort to please him – and then exposing his supply to police, a court has heard.

Jessica May Eichner, who played at North Adelaide for two seasons, appeared in the District Court on Wednesday for sentencing after pleading guilty to one count of drug trafficking.

Judge Emily Telfer accepted Eichner, 34, assisted her ex-boyfriend Tyler Ford because she felt “an obligation” to him, and was “motivated by obtaining access to the cocaine”, which was given to her for free in exchange for her assistance.

Eichner had originally pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking. Photo: Facebook

She then changed her plea to guilty and was sentenced on Wednesday. Photo: Facebook

“Shortly after midnight, on October 17, 2022, police attended Mr Ford’s house at Hillbank in response to a call about a domestic disturbance,” Judge Telfer said.

“When the police arrived, you volunteered to them that Mr Ford was a drug dealer. You spoke to the police extensively about his business.

“You admitted to the police that you would hold cocaine for Mr Ford and, on occasion, you had assisted with breaking down larger quantities of cocaine by packaging the drug into small resealable bags.”

Judge Telfer noted Eichner, of Salisbury East, had told a psychologist she was “subject to controlling behaviour” during her relationship with Ford.

That, the court heard, included being restricted from talking to male friends, having access to her phone restricted, and having her phone taken away “because he suspected you of being unfaithful”.

Last month, it was submitted Ford – who has also pleaded guilty to one count of drug trafficking – lived a “privileged life”, worked full time and had no reason to turn to street-level cocaine dealing.

Tyler Ford leaving the District Court on February. Picture: NewsWire / Tim Joy

The court heard 22g of cocaine, valued at up to $8800, was found under a sink in the couple’s home in October 2022.

On Wednesday, Judge Telfer noted Eichner – as she was being escorted by police to be taken to hospital prior to her arrest – told her parents there was a “large quantity of cocaine stored in a Geelong Football Club container”.

“Your mother located a small white plastic box which contained a blue container branded with a Geelong Cats logo,” Judge Telfer said.

“Inside the container was a plastic resealable bag, which contained about 22g of cocaine. In the same container was a small set of scales, a teaspoon with white powder residue and different size plastic resealable bags.

“While you were waiting at hospital, you spoke candidly to the police about Mr Ford and about your own involvement in his enterprise.”

Eichner was sentenced to five months and 22 days imprisonment which was suspended upon entering into an 18-month good behaviour bond.

Ford will be sentenced in April.

Originally published as Former SANFLW player Jessica Eichner sentenced after assisting drug-dealing ex-boyfriend