A prominent Australian military expert accused of child pornography offences in the US is negotiating a potential plea deal with prosecutors.
Dr Adam Cobb had an esteemed career as a senior defence adviser to the Australian government, Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove in East Timor and US Special Operations Command in Florida.
The 46-year-old is accused of persuading a 17-year-old British girl to fly to the US without her parents' knowledge and videotaping having sex with her.
Prosecutors allege Cobb also persuaded a 16-year-old US girl to send him pornographic photos of herself.
Cobb, who allegedly had the online moniker daddyMike69, was arrested in Rhode Island on April 2 while working as a professor and director at the esteemed US Naval War College.
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Prosecutors told US District Court judge Patricia Sullivan "the parties have been engaged in plea negotiations which may lead to the prompt resolution of the complaint".
Cobb has been charged with one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography.
Prosecutors have also flagged that Cobb could face a production of child pornography charge that carries a mandatory minimum 15 years' jail.
Cobb worked on the 1999-2000 East Timor crisis with Sir Peter, who at the time was commander of the international peacekeeping mission.
