Julie Da Souza: Brazilian gets bail over drugs, firearm, fraud offences
A Brazilian national who previously enjoyed a glamorous presence on social media has spent the past two months behind bars on drugs, firearm and fraud offences. She’s been back before court making a bid for freedom.
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A glamorous Brazilian facing serious drug, firearm and fraud charges has been granted bail and released from prison after her defence lawyer argued she made a “poor choice” to get into a romantic relationship with her co-accused but did not deserve to be behind bars.
Julie Gessica Da Souza, 26, has lived in Australia for three years and was arrested in June 2019 after police found a pistol and a large amount of drugs inside an apartment in Rosebery.
Her boyfriend and co-accused Jake Hudson was also arrested and police allege they lived in the unit together.
The arrests were part of an investigation by Strike Force Petal into the supply of illegal drugs in Sydney’s inner west.
Da Souza was charged with possess unauthorised pistol and occupier knowingly allow home to be used as a drug premises, while her partner was charged with the same offences as well as more serious charges.
Da Souza – who previously enjoyed a glamorous presence on social media – has spent the past two months behind bars after being arrested again in February and hit with six fresh charges, including fraud and drug supply offences.
The Brazilian successfully applied for bail at Downing Centre Local Court last week.
Police alleged there was evidence that she lived in the same apartment as Hudson where the drugs and gun were allegedly found.
Police alleged they found her DNA on a toothbrush, a photograph in the apartment of her, her charger next to the bed, and other possessions. Police also alleged her DNA was found on the gun.
“She had a phone charger plugged in on a certain side of the bed which she slept on,” the prosecutor said.
The prosecutor also alleged she was fully aware of the large amount of drugs allegedly found inside the apartment, including Xanax and meth.
However, her defence lawyer said she lived in Maroubra and would simply stay over at her boyfriend’s apartment on occasion.
“All the evidence suggests that she did not occupy this premises and was an occasional visitor,” he said.
“She had met Mr Hudson some two months earlier and formed a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship and on occasion she stayed overnight at the premises.”
He denied that Da Souza lived there or used her home as a drug premises.
He also said there was no wardrobe full of female clothing or makeup in the bathroom which would be consistent with her living there.
“She picked a bad person to have a relationship with ... she made a poor choice but that does not mean she should be refused bail.”
He said Da Souza did not deny picking up the gun at some stage prior to the police search but it was in the context of her arguing with her boyfriend to get rid of it.
“The firearm charge is the most serious offence. Our position is that it is a very weak prosecution case as to possession,” her defence argued.
He also took aim at the more recent charges stating the two drug supply charges were not a strong prosecution case and involved Xanax.
Magistrate Julie Huber said the strength of the prosecution case regarding the pistol possession and Da Souza using her home as a drug premises was “not particularly strong at all”.
She granted Da Souza bail with strict conditions including to reside in Coogee, to report to police twice a week, and to not contact any co-accused or witness.
Da Souza has pleaded not guilty to all her charges including possess unauthorised pistol, owner/occupier knowingly allow use as drug premises, dishonestly obtain financial advantage (x2), deal with property proceeds of crime (x2), and supply prohibited drug (x2).
Her matter has been adjourned until May 28.