A Sunshine Coast man has faced court after being charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) over allegations he participated in the live online sexual abuse of a child overseas.
Anthony Brian Jones, 40, appeared before the Caloundra Magistrates Court on 2 July 2026 after being charged with three Commonwealth offences arising from an AFP investigation into alleged child exploitation in the Philippines. The matter was investigated by the AFP's Northern Command Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET) with assistance from international law enforcement agencies.
Police allege Jones paid to watch and participate in the live online sexual abuse of a child and provided instructions to an adult facilitator who was with the child in the Philippines. Authorities claim the alleged offences were uncovered after the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) received intelligence from the United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations in February 2026 regarding an Australian-based online user suspected of involvement in live-streamed child abuse.
Investigators subsequently linked the online account to Jones and executed a search warrant at a Caloundra residence on 1 April 2026, where multiple electronic devices were seized for forensic examination. The AFP said investigations into the digital evidence remain ongoing.
Jones has been charged with:
One count of using a carriage service for child abuse material. One count of sexual activity with a child outside Australia. One count of sexual intercourse with a child outside Australia.
If convicted, the offences carry maximum penalties ranging from 15 to 20 years' imprisonment under the Commonwealth Criminal Code.
Following his appearance in the Caloundra Magistrates Court, Jones was granted bail. The matter was adjourned and is scheduled to return to court on 13 August 2026. As with all criminal proceedings, the charges remain allegations and have not been proven in court.
AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said international cooperation remains essential in combating online child exploitation. He said the AFP continues working closely with overseas law enforcement agencies to identify child victims, locate facilitators involved in offending, and ensure children are removed from harm as quickly as possible.
The AFP noted that online child exploitation investigations frequently involve cross-border cooperation because offenders, facilitators and victims can be located in different countries. Authorities said advances in digital forensics and international intelligence sharing have significantly improved their ability to detect offenders who believe they can operate anonymously online.
The investigation remains active, with police continuing efforts to identify and safeguard any child victims involved while pursuing all individuals allegedly connected to the offending.
