Colorado dentist arrested after arranging sex with mom and daughter, 8: 'I would sooo love to be a part of that'
- Dr. James Jason Atha, 50, was arrested at the Palm Beach Airport on August 9
- Federal prosecutors say he arranged to have sex with a mother and daughter
A Colorado dentist has been arrested after he allegedly arranged to have sex with a mother and her eight-year-old daughter.
Federal authorities say Dr. James Jason Atha, 50, of Broomfield, started messaging what he believed was a single mother from Florida, who described in online chatrooms how she groomed her young daughter with sex toys during play time in October 2023.
He then replied, 'That's a beautiful thing. I would sooo love to be a part of that,' according to a federal indictment obtained by the Palm Beach Post.
The two messaged back and forth for months, until June 14, when investigators say Atha and the woman began discussing when he could visit her and the child.
But he did not realize that the woman with whom he had been speaking was actually an undercover agent with 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 to have sex with a single mother and her eight-year-old daughter
Prosecutors say Atha spoke to the undercover agent multiple times over the past 10 months, discussing the sexual acts he would like to perform on the non-existent child.
'I would love to find mother-daughter to play with,' he allegedly wrote in one message.
When asked by the undercover agent in another conversation whether he'd had sex with a mother and daughter duo before, Atha replied, 'unfortunately no,' according to the 27-page indictment.
'I have had so many of what I thought were opportunities, only to get ghosted when it got down to it,' he reportedly wrote.
The agent proceeded to ask him multiple times whether he was sure he wanted to have sex with her daughter, and each time he said he was, prosecutors argue.
Eventually, the agent and Atha agreed that he would visit Palm Beach from August 9 - 11, and they discussed flights and plans for the weekend.
At first, prosecutors say Atha was hesitant, and seemingly predicted his demise in a message to the undercover agent, writing: 'I am very nervous but serious.
'In my head I get there and cops are waiting for me.'
But eventually Atha agreed to meet her at the Palm Beach airport.
Atha was accosted by federal agents when he landed at Palm Beach International Airport
He even allegedly called the agent to discuss the details of the possible trip, according to KDVR.
Atha also allegedly asked the woman to dress the girl in 'something not all that age appropriate' - suggesting she wear a halter top with 'short shorts,' lipstick and eye shadow.
The undercover agent then suggested he start 'playing' with the girl on the way home from the airport.
Just one day before his arrest at the airport, Atha messaged the woman saying he had bought chocolate-flavored lubrication 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 led him - and the undercover agent - away in handcuffs, the Palm Beach Post reports.
A representative at Alpine Dental in Boulder said Atha is no longer employed 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 his Miranda rights and admitted he flew to Florida to watch the undercover agent engage in sex with her daughter.
He also allegedly admitted that his phone contained child pornography - which agents later confirmed - and said he did have all of those conversations with the undercover agent, but denied he was going to follow through.
Agents then conducted a search warrant and found evidence that he was involved in multiple incest and taboo chat rooms.
Atha is now charged with attempted enticement of a minor and could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
He is scheduled to appear at a pre-trial detention in South Florida on Friday.
In the meantime, a woman at Alpine Dental in Boulder, Colorado, where Atha was employed, told CBS 12 that he no longer works there.
It is unclear, however, if he resigned or if he was fired.
His 'about me' section on the office's website notes he traveled every summer to North Carolina to perform free dental work for children and adults who would otherwise forego their dental care.
