R v Erikson - [2025] NZHC 187

IN THE HIGH COURT OF NEW ZEALAND CHRISTCHURCH REGISTRY

I TE KŌTI MATUA O AOTEAROA ŌTAUTAHI ROHE

CRI-2023-009-7536 [2025] NZHC 187

THE KING

v

JAXXON ERIKSON

Hearing: 14 February 2025 Appearances: C R Stuart for Crown
K J Beaton KC for Defendant Sentencing Notes: 14 February 2025

SENTENCING NOTES OF EATON J

This judgment was delivered by me on …….. at ……… pursuant to Rule 11.5 of the High Court Rules

Registrar/Deputy Registrar Date:

R v ERIKSON [2025] NZHC 187 [14 February 2025]

Introduction

[1] Jaxxon Erikson, you appear for sentence having pleaded guilty to two representative charges of supplying methamphetamine,1 possessing methamphetamine for supply,2 kidnapping3 and participation in an organised criminal group.4

Background

[2] You were arrested as part of a police investigation into a multi-million-dollar methamphetamine and cocaine supply network of drugs to Christchurch which was operated by the Tribesmen Motorcycle Gang (Tribesmen MC) between September 2021 and October 2023.

[3] The police obtained surveillance device warrants that allowed them to intercept private communications and covertly record locations of interest. Police also executed multiple search warrants that revealed large quantities of cash and the seizure of multiple electronic devices.

[4] Ricky Poa is a patched member of the Tribesmen MC gang. He holds the rank of National Vice President. Mr Poa has entered guilty pleas, admitting his role in the offending. He has been given and accepted a sentence indication but is yet to be sentenced.

[5] I talk about Mr Poa because he was the principal offender of this methamphetamine and cocaine supply network. He was the leader and, it is acknowledged, he was the main financial beneficiary of the drug dealing activity. He was primarily responsible for sourcing significant quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine from organised criminal groups in Auckland and elsewhere. Consistent with that role, he did not have the controlled drugs or the cash in his physical possession. Instead, he arranged for his trusted patched members and gang associates, including yourself, to manage the transportation of the drugs and storage of the cash and drugs.

1      Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, ss 6(1)(c), (2)(a) and 66; maximum penalty life imprisonment.
2      Sections 6(1)(f), (2)(a) and 66; maximum penalty life imprisonment.
3      Crimes Act 1961, s 209(b) and 66; maximum penalty 14 years’ imprisonment.
4      Section 98A; maximum penalty 10 years’ imprisonment.

[6] Mr Erikson, you are 24 years old. At the time, you were a prospect for the Tribesmen MC. You worked very closely with, and I accept under the direction and influence of, your older brother, Michael. He is a senior and, from what I can assess, a very loyal patched member of the gang. The summary of facts describes you as a soldier or worker for Mr Poa.

[7] You have pleaded guilty to a representative charge of supplying methamphetamine for your involvement in what has been referred to as supply line one, that is over the period from when you arrived in Christchurch in late December 2022 through to 17 July…

Grounds of appeal

[14] The appellant contends that the primary judge erred in finding that the respondent had discharged the onus of establishing the matters required under the relevant provision.

[15] It was submitted that his Honour failed to give adequate weight to the evidence of the second witness, and that the findings of fact were not reasonably open on the material before the Court.

[16] The respondent, for its part, submits that no error is disclosed, and that the conclusions reached were well within the range of outcomes available to the primary judge.

Consideration

[17] It is convenient to deal first with the question of construction, as the resolution of that issue informs the remaining grounds advanced by the appellant.

[18] For the reasons that follow, we are of the view that the appeal should be allowed in part and the matter remitted for further determination.

Continue reading R v Erikson

Details

AGLC: R v Erikson [2025] NZHC 187
Case: [2025] NZHC 187
Decision Date: 14 February 2025

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Jaxxon Erikson, who was 24 years old at the time of sentencing, appeared in the High Court of New Zealand Christchurch Registry to receive sentence after pleading guilty to two representative charges of supplying methamphetamine, possessing methamphetamine for supply, kidnapping, and participation in an organised criminal group. The case involved Erikson's involvement in a drug supply network operated by the Tribesmen Motorcycle Gang (Tribesmen MC) between September 2021 and October 2023. Erikson's involvement included transporting and distributing drugs and managing cash storage. He pleaded guilty to participating in two supply lines, which involved around 14 kilograms of methamphetamine. Erikson also admitted to kidnapping a woman to collect a drug debt.

The court considered the purposes and principles of sentencing, including accountability, denunciation, deterrence, and rehabilitation. The court assessed Erikson's culpability based on the quantity of drugs involved and his role in the network. The court recognised Erikson's background factors, including drug abuse, antisocial peers, and personal vulnerability, as contributing to his offending. Erikson's age, lack of prior convictions, and potential for rehabilitation were also considered as mitigating factors.

The court determined a starting point of 11 years and nine months' imprisonment for the drug charges and an additional nine months for the kidnapping charge. After applying deductions for Erikson's guilty plea, background factors, youth, and remorse, the total deduction amounted to 45%. This resulted in an end sentence of six years and three months' imprisonment for the drug charges, 15 months for the kidnapping charge, and 12 months for participating in an organised criminal group. All sentences were to be served concurrently.

In summary, the court sentenced Erikson to a total of six years and three months' imprisonment, acknowledging his background factors and potential for rehabilitation while emphasising the harm caused by his involvement in the drug supply network and gang activities.

Orders