A Melbourne real estate heir is currently residing in an exclusive rehabilitation facility following his arrest on serious drug and firearms charges. Mason Staver, 35, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates' Court via videolink from Windsor House Private, a facility that reportedly charges nearly $5,000 per week.
Staver, son of prominent auctioneer and real estate mogul Arch Staver, faces 31 charges. The accusations stem from a police raid on a property owned by his father in Abbotsford on May 26. Authorities allege that officers discovered a range of drugs, firearms, and other weapons at the address.
Among the alleged findings were an unregistered handgun, weapon components, and ammunition. Court documents indicate Staver is charged with possessing a firearm as a prohibited person. The prosecution also alleges that a firearm was stored insecurely, found near a child's cot and toys. Staver has a child who reportedly lives with his ex-partner.
The investigation into Staver began after an allegedly stolen Range Rover, valued at $50,000, was linked to him. Police reported that Staver fled from officers in the vehicle before it was later found abandoned near the Abbotsford property. A search of the car on March 29 allegedly uncovered multiple unregistered handguns and ammunition. Staver is also charged with driving while unlicensed, as he was not permitted to drive at the time of his arrest.
Additional charges include burglary and dealing with the proceeds of crime, related to the alleged theft of furniture from an Abbotsford home between February 21 and February 25. During the raid, police also allegedly found imitation firearms, a machete, a taser, and quantities of cocaine, cannabis, and magic mushrooms.
Friends and former colleagues have described Staver's drug use as severe. One ex-colleague told the Daily Mail, "I can't remember him not being on cocaine," while another friend stated he was "off his head" and that his reputation was known within the inner-north real estate community.
Staver has been granted bail and is required to reside at Windsor House Private under strict conditions. He is not permitted to leave the facility without prior approval from senior staff. He is also denied access to a phone or any computer device unless approved by facility staff. Staver is prohibited from using drugs or consuming alcohol and may only communicate with individuals approved in advance by Windsor House Private.
His father, Arch Staver, a former director of Nelson Alexander's Fitzroy and Carlton North offices, reportedly transported his son from jail to the rehabilitation center. Arch Staver previously sold properties to celebrities and handled high-value transactions in Melbourne's inner north.
Staver is scheduled to reappear in court on September 19.