A colorfully tattooed American traveler has been upgraded from police custody to a boutique hotel after allegedly attempting to smuggle a 24k gold-plated handgun into Australia.
Liliana Goodson was arrested at Sydney Airport on the afternoon of April 23 after the Australian Border Force reportedly found a gold gun hidden in her hand luggage.
Police claim an X-ray machine at the busy airport discovered the gold gun in Ms Goodson’s carry-on bag after she flew into the country from Los Angeles.
The weapon is a gold-plated Colt 45-style pistol with pearl inserts estimated to be worth more than $2,000. It was not loaded when seized by authorities.
US citizen Liliana Goodson has been charged with attempting to smuggle an unregistered gold-plated handgun into Australia
Authorities claim the gun is a custom 1911 Colt 45 plated in 24-karat gold
ABF officials claim Ms Goodson is not licensed to import or carry the weapon, which is unregistered.
The 28-year-old was detained for more than two weeks after being charged with importing an unauthorized illegal firearm.
She was granted bail and released on May 8 on the condition that she post $10,000 bail within three days.
The hefty sum would be forfeited to the court if Mrs Goodson failed to appear in court.
However, the Sydney Downing Center court heard on Wednesday that the American traveler had not handed over the money to the court.
Her attorney Bryan Wrench told the court that Goodson could only access her U.S. bank account with her phone, which was seized by federal authorities during her arrest.
“The problem is she has those funds but can’t pull them out,” he said.
“The ABF said they wouldn’t release her phone.”
Mr Wrench asked the court to extend the deadline to Monday so that his client can deposit the money.
Commonwealth prosecutor Mayuri Santhakumar agreed to the extension on the condition that “at least some of the money at her disposal” could be deposited immediately.
Magistrate Miranda Moody said she was concerned about Ms Goodson’s ability to pay bail.
“She has been released on bail on the basis that she posted bail,” she said.
“Maybe it’s a certainty she can never give and that’s the danger.”
The magistrate ordered Mrs. Goodson to pay $3,500 of bail on Wednesday and the remaining balance by Monday.
The 28-year-old was detained for more than two weeks after being charged with importing an unauthorized illegal firearm
Court heard Goodson lives at The Baxley, ‘luxury boutique accommodation’ near Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach
Weekly rates for the hotel range from $1141 for a “compact” room with a shared bathroom, to $1820/week for a premium queen room with private bathroom
The magistrate warned the American traveler was “at risk of losing her bail” if she failed to pay the outstanding $6,500.
The 28-year-old was colorfully dressed in bright pink cheetah-print trousers and neon orange runners when she appeared in court on Wednesday to plead her case.
Her long dark hair was pulled back in a pink butterfly clip to keep it out of her face, which is tattooed with a myriad of colorful images.
The court heard that the tourist lives at The Baxley, “luxury boutique accommodation” near Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach.
Weekly rates for the hotel range from $1141 for a “compact” room with a shared bathroom, to $1820/week for a premium queen room with private bathroom.
The website states that the hotel features “premium linens, luxurious locally sourced botanical amenities, a communal lounge, kitchenette and laundry facilities.”
As part of her bail conditions, she was forced to surrender the passport she used to enter the country and is not allowed to apply for a replacement passport.
Ms Goodson (pictured) appeared in court on Wednesday
If Ms Goodson is convicted of the crime, she risks up to 10 years behind bars.
She also faces the possibility of visa revocation or deportation if found guilty.
ABF commander Justin Bathurst said the seizure of the banned firearm was a victory for “Australia’s first and foremost line of defence”.
“We have seen time and time again how good ABF agents are at detecting and stopping illegal and highly dangerous goods crossing the border into Australia,” he said.