A Colorado dentist is under arrest in a shocking child sex case. Authorities say the dentist flew to West Palm Beach to engage in sexual activity with what he thought was a mother and her daughter, who was just nine years old.
The details of this case are spelled out in a federal criminal complaint. Authorities say when the dentist arrived at Palm Beach International Airport a few days ago to meet a woman and her little girl for sex, they nabbed him and led him away in handcuffs.
“We live in a very sick world now where there are many people out there preying upon our children,” said Stuart Kaplan, a criminal defense attorney and former FBI agent.
Kaplan says allegations against Dr. Jason Atha, a dentist from Boulder, Colorado are very disturbing. Federal investigators say for months, Dr. Atha exchanged messages on a mobile messaging application with a woman he thought was the mother of a young girl, saying he wanted to have sex with them.
“I mean there’s no greater deviant type of behavior,” Kaplan said.
Messaging an Undercover Agent
Dr. Atha didn’t realize it, but the person he was allegedly exchanging messages with was an undercover agent.
The federal criminal complaint against Dr. Atha is extremely graphic and sexually explicit. In one message, prosecutors allege Dr. Atha stated, “I would love to find mother daughter to play with” and he described the kind of sex acts he wanted to take part in.
The complaint also quoted him saying, “I am very nervous but serious. In my head I get there, and cops are waiting for me.”
In fact, when he got to PBIA, reportedly with sexual paraphernalia with him, law enforcement was waiting.
Authorities say Dr. Atha also had child pornography in his possession.
“You know unfortunately we are seeing more instances of child exploitation online. The internet has created life for the better in so many ways. But it has created more ways to harm our children,” said Callahan Walsh, child advocate, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
CBS12 News reached out to Dr. Atha via cell phone and was directed to his voicemail. A called was also placed to his dental office in Colorado.
“What is your reaction that he would be involved in this kind of behavior?” we asked a woman who answered at Dr. Atha’s dental office in Boulder, Colorado. “I’m not gonna make a comment about how I feel about it,” she said. She would not give her name.
According to the woman at his dental office, Dr. Atha is no longer employed there. She would not say if he has been fired or if he resigned.
He is charged with attempted enticement of a minor and, if he’s convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
He has a pre-trial detention hearing Friday in Federal Court in West Palm Beach.
Child sex abuse is a deeply traumatic experience that can have lifelong effects on victims and their families. At Ovadia Law Group, we understand the complexity and sensitivity surrounding these cases. Our dedicated team of attorneys is committed to providing compassionate support and aggressive representation for survivors of child sex abuse. We believe that every victim deserves justice and the opportunity to heal. Our experienced legal team will work tirelessly to ensure that your case is handled with the utmost care and respect. We will help you navigate the legal process, whether it involves pursuing civil claims against perpetrators or seeking accountability from institutions that failed to protect your child. If you or someone you know has been a victim of child sex abuse, don’t hesitate to reach out. Call Ovadia Law Group at 1-800-674-9396 for a free consultation.
Source: cbs12
