James Kisina: Schapelle Corby’s half-brother fined for refusing to unlock devices for cops

Stretch Hummer-driving James Kisina, who has spoken openly of turning his life around after racking up a hefty criminal record in his younger years, failed to provide police the passcodes to his devices.

Burleigh Heads man James Sioeli Kisina, 37, leaving Southport Courthouse on March 27, 2025. Picture: Alex Treacy

Schapelle Corby’s Stretch Hummer-driving half-brother has been fined for refusing to unlock his devices for police despite a warrant requiring him to do so, with his lawyer telling a court his client was inadvertently caught up in a police sting targeting his friend.

Burleigh Heads man James Sioeli Kisina, 37, appeared in Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday where he pleaded guilty to a charge of contravening an order under s154(1) of the Police Powers and Responsibility Act 2000 requiring him to provide information necessary to access information stored electronically.

The offence occurred at an address at Burleigh Heads on February 27 last year when detectives from the Sunshine Coast CIB conducted a raid.

Senior Constable Pam Rhodes told the court the address was shared by the defendant and another man, with “several businesses” operating from the address.

Burleigh Heads man James Sioeli Kisina, 37, leaving Southport Courthouse on March 27, 2025. Picture: Alex Treacy

Kisina possessed two mobile phones and was told to provide their passcodes, in line with the police warrant, but he refused after obtaining legal advice.

The court was told Kisina had a three-page criminal history with the last entry in 2013. Magistrate Nerida Wilson described it as a “significant, relevant” history.

Defence lawyer Jason Jacobson told the court Kisina had a “very limited involvement” in the premises that were subject to the search warrant.

He said Kisina was a friend and employee of the search warrant’s main target, who operates an excavator/digger business.

Schapelle Corby's half brother James Kisina, aged 17, holds up a ‘Schapelle Innocent’ flyer. Picture: Donna Cosford

“My client was not on the police’s radar at all for anything,” Mr Jacobson said.

“The person operating the [excavator/digger] business has been charged with offences unrelated to my client.”
Senior Constable Rhodes confirmed Kisina was not the main target of the operation.

Ms Wilson, the magistrate, said it was only because Kisina was not the main target of the operation that she saw fit to impose a fine rather than a suspended jail sentence.

She described refusing to provide passcodes in defiance of a warrant as “contempt of court”.

“It is a deliberate attempt to evade further investigation. The courts will consider that you have something to hide,” Ms Wilson said.

Kisina was fined $2500. No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as James Kisina: Schapelle Corby’s half-brother fined for refusing to unlock devices for cops