Colorado Dentist Arrested at Airport After Traveling to Florida for Sex with Mother and Young Daughter: Feds
A Colorado dentist was arrested after flying to Florida, believing he was meeting a mother and her underage daughter for sex, only to discover he had been communicating with an undercover agent.
Jason Atha, a dentist from Boulder, Colorado, was arrested in West Palm Beach, Florida, following an investigation by federal agents. According to a federal criminal complaint, Atha admitted to planning to meet with a woman and her 9-year-old daughter for sexual activities and also confessed to possessing child pornography on his phone.
The investigation began when an undercover agent from Homeland Security Investigations Palm Beach posed as a mother with a fictional 8-year-old daughter. The agent monitored chatrooms focused on taboo topics, including child pornography and incest, aiming to combat child sexual abuse and the distribution of illegal content.
On October 3, 2023, the undercover agent started a conversation with a person later identified as Atha. When the agent mentioned having an 8-year-old daughter, Atha responded with enthusiasm and expressed his desire to “play” with the mother-daughter duo. The conversations quickly turned explicit, with Atha asking detailed questions about the child and describing in graphic terms what he hoped to do.
Atha expressed his nervousness about meeting in person but continued to plan the encounter. He even sent photos of himself that matched images on the Alpine Dentistry website, where he worked. As the conversations progressed, the agent informed Atha that the child had recently turned 9.
On July 11, 2024, Atha informed the agent that he had purchased a plane ticket to West Palm Beach, sharing his August 9 itinerary. Upon arriving in Florida, Atha met the agent at the baggage claim, where she suggested they pick up the child from a friend’s house. However, as they reached the parking lot, federal agents arrested him.
While in custody, Atha questioned how his conversations were discovered, insisting that he only intended to have a “fun weekend” with the child. He later waived his Miranda rights and admitted to discussing plans to have sex with the child, though he denied intending to act on those plans.
Atha’s phone revealed his participation in multiple chat rooms focused on “dad/daughter” and taboo topics, as well as evidence of child pornography. He has been charged with enticement of a minor and faces a minimum sentence of 10 years if convicted. Neither Atha nor his attorney has commented on the case.