Jason James Atha, Child Abuse, Florida 2023

A local dentist from Colorado has been charged with attempting to solicit sex with an 8-year-old child and transporting child pornography.

Jason James Atha, 50, was indicted in the Southern District of Florida for attempted enticement of a minor and transportation of child pornography.

According to allegations in the court record, starting on October 3, 2023, Atha used a social networking application on his phone in Colorado to solicit sex with the child. The child's purported 'mother' was in fact an undercover Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agent.

Atha's communications detailed the sexual acts he wanted to engage in with the child. On August 9, Atha flew to Palm Beach International Airport in the Southern District of Florida to consummate the sexual act and was arrested at the airport.

A search of Atha's devices revealed child pornography videos. Atha had his initial appearance in West Palm Beach, Fla on August 12. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for August 26 at 10:00 a.m. before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in West Palm Beach.

If convicted of the charged offenses, Atha faces a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison for attempted enticement of a minor and 20 years in prison for transportation of child pornography.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Atha's arrest and charges are a stark reminder of the dangers of child predators and the importance of protecting our children online.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/colorado-dentist-charged-federally-attempting-solicit-minor-online-and-transporting