A Colorado dentist has been arrested after allegedly agreeing to have sex with a mother and her eight-year-old daughter.
Federal authorities say Dr. James Jason Atha, 50, of Broomfield, began messaging what he believed to be a single mother from Florida, who described in online chat rooms how he manipulated her young daughter with sex toys during playtime in October 2023.
He then replied: “It’s a beautiful thing. I would love to be a part of that,” according to a federal indictment. obtained by the Palm Beach Post.
The two exchanged messages for months, until June 14, when investigators say Atha and the woman began discussing when he could visit her and the child.
But he didn’t realize that the woman he had been talking to was actually an undercover agent for the Department of Homeland Security, and he was arrested by federal agents when he landed at Palm Beach International Airport on August 9.
Dr. James Jason Atha, 50, of Broomfield, Colorado, was arrested on August 8 for allegedly arranging sex with a single mother and her eight-year-old daughter.
Prosecutors say Atha spoke to the undercover agent several times over the past 10 months, discussing sexual acts he would like to perform on the nonexistent girl.
“I would love to find a mother and daughter to play with,” he reportedly wrote in one message.
When the undercover agent asked him in another conversation if he had had sex with a mother and daughter before, Atha replied, “unfortunately no,” according to the 27-page indictment.
“I’ve had so many that I thought were opportunities, only to be left hanging when the time came,” she wrote.
The officer proceeded to ask him several times if he was sure he wanted to have sex with his daughter, and each time he said yes, prosecutors allege.
Finally, the agent and Atha agreed that he would visit Palm Beach from August 9 to 11, and they discussed flights and plans for the weekend.
At first, prosecutors say Atha was hesitant and apparently predicted his death in a message to the undercover agent, writing: “I’m very nervous, but serious.
‘In my head I arrive and there are police waiting for me.’
But Atha eventually agreed to meet her at Palm Beach airport.
Atha was approached by federal agents when he landed at Palm Beach International Airport.
He even allegedly called the agent to discuss details of the possible trip. according to KDVR.
Atha also allegedly asked the woman to dress the girl in “something not so age-appropriate,” suggesting she wear a halterneck top and “short shorts,” lipstick and eyeshadow.
The undercover agent then suggested that he start “playing” with the girl while he was walking home from the airport.
Just a day before his arrest at the airport, Atha texted the woman saying he had purchased chocolate-flavored lubricant and condoms to use during sex with the girl and her mother, the indictment says. according to 9 News.
But when he arrived at the airport, Atha was accosted by federal agents who took him — and the undercover agent — away in handcuffs, the Palm Beach Post reports.
A representative for Alpine Dental in Boulder said Atha no longer works there.
According to an arrest affidavit, he “spontaneously” asked how he could be arrested and how his conversations with the mother could be known to federal agents, when the undercover agent revealed herself.
Atha then reportedly waived her Miranda rights and admitted that she flew to Florida to watch the undercover agent have sex with her daughter.
He also allegedly admitted that his phone contained child pornography (which officers later confirmed) and said he had had all of those conversations with the undercover officer, but denied that he was going to follow through.
Agents then executed a search warrant and found evidence that he was involved in multiple incest and taboo chat rooms.
Atha is now charged with attempted seduction of a minor and could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
He is scheduled to appear in pretrial detention in South Florida on Friday.
Meanwhile, a woman at Alpine Dental in Boulder, Colorado, where Atha worked, He told CBS 12 who no longer works there.
However, it is unclear whether he resigned or was fired.
Her “about me” section on the office’s website notes that she traveled to North Carolina every summer to perform free dental work for children and adults who would otherwise forgo dental care.