By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-09 12:59:29 | Updated at 2024-12-24 17:08:44
2 weeks ago
A US woman who flew to Australia with a gold plated pistol in her luggage has been sentenced to a year behind bars, despite claiming she brought it with her for protection.
Liliana Goodson pleaded guilty to charges of illegally importing an unauthorised firearm and illegally importing ammunition.
The 30-year-old on Monday was sentenced in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court to a 12-month jail term, of which four months will be served in full-time custody.
Goodson was taken into custody immediately following the hearing and forced to remove her extensive jewellery before being handcuffed and led from the court.
She was initially arrested at Sydney Airport in April 2023, after customs officers uncovered the 24-carat gold-plated pistol, worth about $3000, in her luggage.
The court was previously told she had come to Australia to attend clown school and claimed she brought the gun for protection.
Goodson had searched online whether she was allowed to bring the weapon into Australia, despite telling officers at the time she forgot she had it with her.
When asked at the airport if she was carrying any prohibited items with her Goodson claimed she was not, the court was told.
Liliana Goodson has been sentenced to 12 months after bringing a gold firearm into Australia. Four months will be served in full-time custody (pictured arriving to court on Monday)
Liliana Goodson (pictured) travelled from Florida to attend clown school in Sydney but will now be spending time behind bars
'What about the gun in your bag?' she was asked by a customs officer.
Goodson replied: 'Oh yeah, I forgot about that.'
A review of Goodson's phone revealed she had searched online 'can I have a gun in my suitcase?' and set a calendar entry with a note reminding her to 'put gun in suitcase'.
Magistrate Susan Horan said there was a strong need to deter others from committing similar offences in the future, which could only be achieved by way of a period of incarceration.
'Australia has a strong stance against firearms,' she said.
Prosecutors submitted earlier that the gun looks particularly confronting and would 'terrify members of the community', which Horan agreed with.
The court heard that American had searched online if she was allowed to have a gun in her suitcase on her trip to Australia (pictured the gold pistol, worth about $3,000)
When asked by a custom's officer about the gun, Goodson replied that she had forgotten about it (pictured an x-ray of her luggage with the gun)
Goodson told police she was actually 'scared' of shooting the gun and hoped simply producing it would be enough to deter potential threats.
'If that didn't do it I would probably just pistol whip,' Goodson was quoted as having said.
When asked where she planned to store the gun while she was in Australia, she indicated under a vehicle's passenger seat, the court was told.
The court was told in recent years, Goodson was using psychedelic drugs, synthetic cannabis and crystal meth amphetamines.
