Pinball enthusiast Kim Michael Dozier aimed for prominence in the gaming world, but his aspirations were cut short following a significant drug bust, subsequent imprisonment, and a recent High Court ruling that seized his valuable collection of machines, valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Dozier, a pinball player ranked in New Zealand, was sentenced to four years and one month in the Christchurch District Court on March 3 for possessing LSD, cocaine, magic mushrooms, ketamine, MDMA, and cannabis with the intent to supply.
This followed a police raid in May on his garage arcade in Christchurch, where drugs were discovered in multiple rooms and $45,500 in cash was found divided into 11 bundles.
In addition, police located his collection of arcade pinball machines in the garage, collectively valued between $150,000 and $172,000.
The garage served as an elaborate venue where Dozier organized pinball tournaments under the name “Kimzone” arcade.
During the search, police found numerous items that suggested drug dealing activities were taking place within the garage.
A cellphone was confiscated during the search, and its analysis revealed messages indicative of a drug-dealing operation.
In a decision released recently, Justice Jonathan Eaton ordered the restraint of the pinball machines under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act.
In January, police sought a restraining order for the 13 machines and the $45,500.
Dozier received the application last month.
His attorney, Andrew McKenzie, did not oppose the application, acknowledging his client’s ownership of the machines.
However, McKenzie noted that some machines were reportedly sold.
McKenzie informed the High Court that police had identified the buyers and had been in contact with them.
Police stated that Dozier arranged for associates to remove his belongings, including the 13 machines, from the premises while he was in custody.
Olivia Welsh, representing the Police Commissioner, mentioned discussions with a potential buyer of the machines, with police aiming to secure them.
Justice Eaton concluded that both the seized cash and the pinball machines were tainted assets and that Dozier had unlawfully profited from substantial criminal activities.
The $45,500 was forfeited at sentencing, and no restraining order was pursued for the cash.
Justice Eaton instructed that the order be served to third parties potentially involved in the sale of specific pinball machines.
According to the International Flipper Pinball Association website, Dozier is ranked 30th in New Zealand.
– By Al Williams, Open Justice reporter for NZ Herald
