Florida woman who flew to Australia to attend clown school jailed for carrying 24-karat gold pistol
An American woman who arrived in Australia to attend clown school with a gold-plated pistol in her luggage has been jailed for a year.
American woman Liliana Goodson, 30, pleaded guilty to charges of illegally importing firearms and ammunition in breach of Australia’s strict firearms laws.
She was sentenced in Sydney’s Downing Center Local Court on Monday to 12 months in prison and will be placed in full-time custody for at least four months.
The court previously heard that Goodson arrived in the country from Florida in April 2023 to attend clown school but was stopped at the border after authorities found a 24-carat gold-plated weapon in her luggage.
24 carat gold plated gun – Australian Border Force
She claimed she forgot it was in her bag after telling customs officials she was not carrying any prohibited items.
But police later discovered she had searched online for answers to the following question: “Can I keep a gun in my suitcase?” and set a calendar reminder for herself to “put a gun in my suitcase.”
Goodson later said she brought the gun into the country for protection, even though she was “afraid” of shooting and would be more likely to “pistol-whip” anyone who attacked her.
The court was also told the Florida woman planned to store the weapon under the passenger seat of her car.
Goodson, who uses “they/them” pronouns, traveled to Australia from Florida but told officials her Colt Model 45 pistol license was “back in Alabama.”
“When I came here, I didn’t think about the gun at all,” she said at the time.
Cat spine and rabbit urine
However, she claimed to be carrying cat spines, squirrel feet and rabbit urine, according to the Daily Mail. It’s unclear why she was traveling with the items.
Prosecutors argued at previous hearings that the weapon would “terrorize community members” and could pose a threat to public safety.
The court also heard she had used a variety of illegal drugs in recent years, including LSD, synthetic cannabis and ice.
After the hearing, she was directed to have the extensive piercing removed and was removed by court staff.
Monday’s verdict could delay her ambitions to become a professional clown. Judge Susan Holland said a custodial sentence would act as a deterrent to others entering the country.
“Australia has a tough stance on guns,” she said.
