A man described as a "loner" and considered an "imminent" risk of carrying out a depraved child abuse plot was left "stunned" when authorities arrived at his door, interrupting his extensive scheming. The disturbing details of Jason William Forbes' twisted plan to snatch a child and abuse them in a modified roof space were revealed by police on Tuesday, following his sentencing to seven years and five months behind bars.
Calculated Planning and Chilling Intent
Forbes engaged in calculated and meticulous planning that "chilled" even experienced law enforcement officers. His activities included scoping out schools, kindergartens, and early learning centres across the Perth region. He conducted detailed research into methods to approach, isolate, and restrain children, creating comprehensive diagrams that outlined his intended abduction process.
Authorities disclosed that Forbes even used his Tesla vehicle to record videos of children in their driveways, demonstrating the practical steps he was taking toward his abhorrent goal. The level of preparation indicated a "real intention to undertake these activities," according to police, who warned that without decisive intervention, "something terrible could have happened."
Border Interception Triggers Investigation
The investigation began in mid-2024 when Australian Border Force officers intercepted an illegal child-like sex doll that Forbes had imported. Approximately ten days after this interception, authorities executed a warrant at his Baldivis home, located about thirty minutes south of the Perth CBD.
"It was apparent why he didn't want us in the premises," Australian Border Force Inspector David Williamson stated. Officers discovered an electronic device displaying child abuse material on the kitchen bench, an additional doll in the bedroom, and a mind map of notes on a mirror. Further examination of his devices uncovered a significant quantity of exploitation material involving very young children.
Advanced Preparations and Modified Property
Police revealed that Forbes had begun making physical alterations to both his vehicle and his residence in preparation for his planned crimes. He had modified his attic space, creating what authorities described as a potential abuse location. Detective Acting Superintendent Eamon Flanagan emphasized that the planning was "well advanced" with written documentation covering various abduction methods.
"The reality is it could have happened at any point," Flanagan noted, highlighting the imminent danger posed by Forbes' preparations. Police had mapped out his routine, identified his workplace, and used various aspects of his life to execute their warrant at an optimal time, catching the former electrician completely by surprise.
Hermit Lifestyle and Guilty Plea
Flanagan described Forbes as living "quite a hermit-type lifestyle" alone, characterizing him as a "loner" with limited social connections. Following his arrest, Forbes pleaded guilty to multiple offences including attempting to possess childlike sex dolls, using a carriage service to prepare and plan for sexual activity with a child, and possessing child exploitation material.
Police delayed releasing details of the case while conducting additional investigations to ensure Forbes had acted alone and that no other children remained at risk. This involved engaging with families whose children might have been "scoped" during Forbes' surveillance activities.
Border Force Vigilance on Child Sex Dolls
Inspector Williamson revealed that there have been forty-seven attempts to import child sex dolls into Australia in the past year alone, with four people in Western Australia currently before the courts related to similar offences. These dolls are typically sourced online from China, with some suppliers attempting to evade detection by splitting components across multiple shipments.
"Research suggests that it can be an escalation point to conduct offending," Williamson explained, emphasizing why border authorities remain particularly alert to these items. He expressed confidence in their detection capabilities, noting that targeting teams are skilled at identifying subtle indicators that childlike sex dolls are contained within consignments.
Rare but Possible Crime
While Detective Acting Superintendent Flanagan expressed satisfaction with the investigation's outcome, he acknowledged that the nature of child exploitation work constantly presents new challenges. "The levels of depravity are constantly shifting and we are surprised," he stated, while also noting that such planned abductions remain rare events in Western Australia.
Forbes will become eligible for release in December 2029, having been sentenced for his comprehensive planning and possession of illegal materials. The case highlights the coordinated efforts between border authorities and police in preventing potential child exploitation before it can occur.
