A former Perth lawyer, 32, was sentenced by the District Court of Western Australia today (17 July, 2026) to four years and four months' imprisonment for attempting to obstruct the course of justice via encrypted communications with outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) members.
- He will be eligible for parole after serving two years and two months.
- The Leederville man previously pleaded guilty to:
One count of attempting to obstruct the course of justice in relation to a judicial power, contrary to subsection 43(1) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth).
Two counts of failing to comply with an order obtained under section 3LA(2) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), contrary to subsection 3LA(6) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for each offence is 10 years' imprisonment, as well as a $133,200 fine for failing to comply with an order made under subsection 3LA.
The man worked at a legal practice where clients included members of the Comanchero OMCG.
He was arrested and charged as part of Operation Ironside, a major international law enforcement operation that targeted transnational organised crime by secretly controlling an encrypted communications platform used by criminals called AN0M.
Between October, 2018 and June, 2021, the AFP and US Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) were able to access AN0M.
As part of this investigation, AFP members identified the Leederville man as using an AN0M device to communicate with members of the Comanchero OMCG.
Between 31 March, 2021, and 5 June, 2021, he sent and received several thousand messages on the platform.
This included exchanges with senior Comanchero OMCG members about the clandestine movements of millions of dollars in cash and drugs, as well strategies to thwart police investigations.
AFP members conducted a search warrant at the man's home on 7 June, 2021, seizing two devices suspected of being used to access the AN0M app. The man was charged the same day.
AFP Detective Superintendent Peter Chwal said Operation Ironside delivered a significant blow to transnational serious organised crime groups, based in Australia and offshore.
"Operation Ironside has severely disrupted organised crime in Australia and ensured those who aid and abet criminal networks are held to account," Det Supt Chwal said.
"The success of Operation Ironside is a testament to the strength and commitment of our partnerships with the FBI and other domestic and international law enforcement agencies, collaborating to combat complex organised crime networks operating across multiple countries."
So far, Operation Ironside has led to almost 400 people in Australia being charged with more than 2300 offences, including drug trafficking, money laundering and dealing in the proceeds of crime.
Of those persons dealt with by the courts more than 60 have been sentenced.
They include a West Australian man who was sentenced to five years for possessing $6.1 million in cash, believed to be the proceeds of crime.
