Jushka Douglas Fitzgerald pleads guilty at Gympie court to drug dealing

A power-pinching mechanic who turned to drugs after surviving a crash which killed his best mate not only took off in a client’s car but was also traced to a number of other crimes.

Jushka Douglas Fitzgerald’s drug deals were uncovered by officers who discovered them on the other offender’s phone, Gympie District Court heard Wednesday, February 5, 2025.

A mechanic found himself in hot water after police investigation into a woman’s crimes revealed the 42-year-old had been selling her meth.

Jushka Douglas Fitzgerald’s drug deals were uncovered by officers who found evidence of them on the woman’s phone, Gympie District Court heard on Wednesday.

Crown Prosecutor Alex Stark said Fitzgerald sold meth to the offender three times between June 14 and June 24, 2024, including deals of 7g for $1200 and twice selling 3.5g for $750.

A fourth offer to deal was made but it was unclear if the sale actually happened, the court heard.

Police executed a search warrant on the 42-year-old’s Southside property on August 8 and found a coffee grinder, glass pipe, electric scales, marijuana, and five war medals.

Jushka Douglas Fitzgerald’s drug deals were uncovered by officers who discovered them on the other offender’s phone, Gympie District Court heard Wednesday, February 5, 2025.

The court heard these were believed to be tainted property.

Fitzgerald told officers he bought them at a garage sale, Mr Stark said.

Police also found electricity had been illegally connected to the property.

This was in the context of Fitzgerald having previously been caught powering his home up by running an extension cord from a nearby church, the court was told.

Fitzgerald also unlawfully used a car which he had been asked to repair the brakes on.

The court heard he drove the car 2000km without its owner’s permission.

It was found to have some damage to it, and its owner also received a speeding ticket over Fitzgerald’s driving.

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The court heard Fitzgerald had a history of drug and dishonesty offences, but his offending was sporadic.

The 42-year-old’s lawyer said his client had turned to drug use after he and his best friend were in a crash which claimed that friend’s life.

There were several periods the 42-year-old had gone long stretches without offending, including from 2000-2012, 2013-2015, and 2015-2020, his lawyer said.

Fitzgerald pleaded guilty to four counts of supplying meth, and charges of possessing marijuana, refusing to give police the PIN to his phone, possessing drug utensils, possessing tainted property, unlawfully taking electricity, and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Judge Gary Long sentenced Fitzgerald to 21 months’ jail, with 182 days declared as time already served in presentence custody.
He will be released on parole on Saturday, February 7, 2024.

Originally published as Jushka Douglas Fitzgerald pleads guilty at Gympie court to drug dealing