Jason Gerin: 20yo Dandenong ice dealer’s 29 page rap sheet
The Dandenong dealer knows ice is bad — he says it led to him being shot and stabbed — yet he continues to sell the dangerous drug.
South East
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A 20-year-old with a 29-page rap sheet has been caught dealing ice — again.
Jason Gerin was also nabbed with a knife in his pocket, which he said he carries for protection because he had “been stabbed and shot before”.
The Dandenong dealer had been jailed and given a community corrections order just last year for very similar selling crimes.
Gerin pleaded guilty to trafficking, proceeds of crime and possessing a weapon offences at the online Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
The court heard at 1.45am on April 3 this year a police patrol came across a ute parked on the wrong side of the road in Dandenong North.
When cops came over the driver sped off, leaving Gerin stood on the footpath.
He was sweating profusely, nervous and heavily substance-affected and was in an area known for high-drug activity.
He told officers he was selling the driver “a watch” but admitted he had never met the man before.
Gerin was searched and found to have a knife in his pocket.
In his backpack there were bags of ice weighing 6g in total, empty deal bags, digital scales, $177 in cash and a ‘tick book’ detailing names and amounts he had sold.
Gerin admitted possessing the weapon but gave a “no comment” response to questions regarding dealing drugs.
His defence lawyer said many of the charges in his criminal history were duplicates because he had breached court orders and been resentenced for the original crimes.
He said Gerin had a troubled childhood and adolescence and would benefit from drug treatment.
Magistrate Tony Burns said it must be some sort of record for a 20-year-old to have 29 pages of priors.
“He was on a CCO for trafficking methamphetamine, and here we are again for trafficking methamphetamine,” Mr Burns said.
He said perhaps the Drug Court was a good option for both Gerin and the wider society.
“I don’t want to throw a 20-year-old on the scrap heap,” he said.
“If I did sentence today it would be a lengthy jail term.
“I can’t guarantee he would be suitable (for Drug Court), but the community will be better off if he stops taking drugs and offending.”
Gerin was remanded in custody and will face Drug Court for a screening in June.
