Bonnie Blue arrest: Why adult star may walk free after deal with Bali officials, despite 15-year jail threat

Controversial adult content creator Bonnie Blue could leave Bali a free woman within days, despite being accused of an offence that carries a lengthy jail term.

Blue, whose real name is Tia Billinger, was detained last week after allegedly taking part in a “sex game” during a Schoolies event in Bali alongside a group of male tourists.

The 26-year-old was reportedly taken into custody on suspicion of producing pornographic material, an offence under Indonesia’s strict morality laws, before being released to her accommodation pending a formal inquiry.

Blue was spotted outside Bali’s Immigration Office on Wednesday, smiling for cameras in a green crop top and matching shorts as she arrived with lawyer Edward Pangkahila.

When questioned about claims she was shooting explicit material during a police raid last week, Blue brushed it off with a grin.“Subscribe and you’ll find out,” she joked.

When she left for lunch in the middle of her meeting, she was asked by reporters if she has anything to say and responded “I’m just really thirsty”.

Following a lengthy interview with immigration officers, sources told the Daily Mail that Blue has insisted the footage filmed in Bali did not constitute pornography.

Instead, Blue and the three men questioned alongside her claimed they were shooting a reality-style entertainment show designed to appear energetic and engaging for social media, that was not explicit or illegal.

Crew members said to have assisted on the day have reportedly given matching accounts, and investigators reviewing footage from the group’s devices have yet to identify any breaches of the Pornography Law or the Electronic Information and Transactions Law.

Authorities, however, suspect the group may have breached their residence and tourist visas by filming commercial lifestyle content.

Officials are also examining the use of a pickup truck that Blue dubbed her “Bang Bus”, which was allegedly used for filming.

“We ensure that the entire process is carried out based on legal facts, and we are conducting a joint investigation with Immigration,” Badung Police Chief Arif Batubara said.

“So far, no pornographic elements have been identified, but there are strong indications of traffic law violations and immigration offenses.”

On Thursday, Blue confirmed that “the bang bus is over,” referencing the single-cab ute she used to film content featuring “barely legal” schoolboys in Bali.

She made the remark while entering the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office in Jimbaran, south of Kuta, dressed in a green singlet and shorts, smiling at the press before recording videos with reporters behind her. She remained silent when asked if she would be “going back home soon.”

Blue arrived with a man who waited alongside her until they were called into a restricted room to meet immigration staff.

The pair later left the building laughing, with the man joking to reporters: “What’s the crime? Eating a succulent Chinese meal? (a reference to Jack Karlson’s viral 1991 arrest)”.

Another man at the scene told journalists they were “heading out for lunch” and planned to return later as officers “wanted to ask some questions.”

Ngurah Rai Immigration Office head Winarko confirmed Blue remains under investigation as “several matters” found by police required a follow-up.

“Today is the first examination at Immigration office. Earlier, she was examined in police station,” Winarko said, confirming no charges had been filed so far.

He did not rule out deportation, saying the outcome would depend on the findings.

Badung Police said Blue was arrested last week after officers raided her studio, seizing the so-called “Bang Bus”, along with several cameras, condoms, sexual enhancement pills, and USB drives.

She was detained alongside three men.

“When they were raided, they were making collab content about a game where the winner would sleep with Bonnie Blue,” said Acting Head of the Public Relations Sub-Division of the Badung Police, Aiptu Ni Nyoman Ayu Inastuti.

“No pornographic activities or acts have been found in the collaborative content.”

Although no charges have been laid, the group’s passports remain confiscated. If proven guilty, offenders could face up to 15 years in prison and fines reaching $541,000.

Blue was banned from Australia last year after plans to film adult content with “barely legal” Schoolies students sparked outrage, prompting thousands to sign a petition to deny her visa.

The Department of Home Affairs subsequently cancelled her visa, finding her intended business activities violated tourist entry conditions.