(LAMBTON, ON) – An individual from British Columbia has been arrested in connection with a series of violent sexual assaults that occurred in southwestern Ontario in 1997, following a multi-jurisdictional investigation known as Project Aerial.
Between March and August of 1997, four separate sexual assaults occurred in Lambton County, Kent County and the City of Sarnia. Four female victims – three of whom were young persons at the time of the offences – came forward with information to police. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Sarnia Police Service (SPS) each began investigating the incidents within their respective jurisdictions. The victims were provided resources and victim support.
CASE OVERVIEWS
On Wednesday, March 26, 1997, at approximately 9:30 p.m., a female youth was abducted in the area of Exmouth Street and Indian Road in the City of Sarnia. She was taken by an unidentified male driving a dark blue, small- or mid-sized vehicle to a location in Sombra Township, Lambton County, where she was sexually assaulted. The OPP led the investigation.
The OPP also investigated a second incident that occurred on Friday, May 23, 1997. At approximately 11:55 a.m. while walking along Highway 21 in the Town of Thamesville, Kent County, a female youth was picked up by an unidentified male in a light blue or grey two-door vehicle. She was taken to a wooded area where she was sexually assaulted.
On Saturday, June 7, 1997, at approximately 2:00 a.m., an adult female was picked up by an unidentified male while walking on Campbell Street in the City of Sarnia. The suspect, driving a red vehicle, drove the victim to a remote area nearby where she was sexually assaulted. The SPS initiated an investigation into the incident.
The fourth incident occurred at approximately 10:40 p.m. on Wednesday, August 20, 1997. A female youth was picked up along Grand Avenue West in the City of Chatham by an unidentified male driving a blue vehicle. The female was taken to Dover Township, Kent County, where she was sexually assaulted. The OPP launched an investigation into this case.
In all four cases, the assailant drove away after the assault, leaving each victim at the site of the attack. Following reports of the incidents to police from the victims, descriptions of the assailant were shared publicly to encourage tips.
Police believed that the same unknown offender was responsible for the four incidents. Over the years, two of the four incidents – the events from March and June 1997 – were linked to the same assailant using DNA analysis and investigative efforts. The cases were later transferred to the OPP. Despite extensive efforts and repeated public appeals, the identity of the assailant remained unknown for many years.
In January 2024, advancements in DNA technology, and resulting forensic analysis by the Centre of Forensic Sciences (CFS), linked the four assaults to the same individual. The OPP utilized Investigative Genetic Genealogy and employed other investigative techniques to identify the individual believed to be responsible.
On Sunday, October 26, 2025, with assistance from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Vancouver Police Department (VPD), the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) and the OPP Emergency Response Team, an arrest was made in Campbell River, British Columbia. The accused was transferred back to Ontario on Monday, October 27, 2025, to face charges.
As a result of the investigation, Jason Timothy DAVIDSON, 52 years old of Campbell River, British Columbia, was charged with the following offences contrary to the Criminal Code:
- Aggravated sexual assault, s. 273(1)
- Sexual assault, s. 271 – three counts
- Sexual assault causing bodily harm, s. 272(c)
- Sexual assault with a weapon, s. 272(a)
- Kidnapping, s. 279 (1)(a)
- Forcible confinement, s. 279(2) – four counts
- Uttering threats, s. 264.1(1)(a) – three counts
- Theft, s. 334
The accused remains in custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Chatham on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
The investigation by the Lambton and Essex OPP Crime Unit remains ongoing, under the direction of the OPP CIB, in conjunction with the CFS, SPS, RCMP, VPD and Calgary Police Service.
As this is an ongoing investigation, we are releasing photos of the accused with this media release. Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip online at ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
