The former top probation officer in San Mateo County was accused by prosecutors of being a "collector" of child pornography who had to be tasered when arrested to avoid stabbing himself in the neck, according to reports.
Prosecutors say Stuart Forrest, 61, was caught with 470 images of naked boys on computers at his home in San Mateo. He "sought out" images of boys aged 6 to 14 years, including ones being spanked, the San Mateo County Times reported.
Forrest's defense attorney says that Forrest, who retired in December from his position after three decades with the county, had the images for research -- researching new guidelines on human trafficking, the newspaper reported.
Law enforcement officers can possess child pornography for law enforcement purposes, but Forrest had the images at home and was trying to erase them before FBI agents searched his home, the newspaper reported.
When his house was searched, he had a knife to his throat and had his wallet, badge, and a note neatly arranged next to him, according to the sheriff's department lieutenant who made the arrest.
Forrest reportedly kept saying "I'm done," as arresting officers tried to get him to put down the knife. He had already cut his neck when officers made the call to use the Taser and put him into custody, the newspaper reported.
Forrest's note read as follows: "Tell my family I'm better off. My existence was just marking time until this moment. No more loneliness.
