Dawson's crime that resulted in him been imprisoned on SAR TOP was never revealed. On Earth, he took the human form of the Chicago Sheriff and aided Zin by making Abbey Swenson - the mother of Jamie, whose body was taken over by Cirronian prisoner Lontoria - believe that Zin was a respected film producer from New York. He also was used as a grunt by Zin for other deeds. Thanks to his human form been that of a law enforcer, it allowed Dawson to get away with dirty deeds as well as been trusted by others easily - such as Father Creighton and Abbey Swenson.