By Dr. Jason Atha, a 49-year-old dentist from Boulder, Colorado, was arrested on August 9, 2024, at Palm Beach International Airport in Florida following an undercover operation by the Department of Homeland Security. A federal indictment alleges that Atha attempted to arrange sexual abuse with an individual he believed to be the mother of an 8-year-old girl.
According to the indictment reviewed by PEOPLE, Atha had been communicating since October 2023 with an undercover agent posing as a single mother in a messaging app chat room focused on “taboo” sex acts and child sex abuse. The agent was working to “detect and investigate violations of federal law related to the sexual exploitation of children.”
The indictment states that when told about alleged sexual abuse of an 8-year-old daughter, Atha reportedly responded, “That’s a beautiful thing. I would sooo love to be a part of that.” He allegedly expressed interest in children “8 and up” and discussed sexual acts he would perform on the “girl.”
Atha allegedly planned a trip to Florida to meet the fictitious mother and daughter, sharing his flight details with the undercover agent. Upon his arrest, he waived his Miranda rights and admitted to traveling to Florida to watch the supposed mother have sex with the daughter but denied intentions of engaging in sexual acts with the child himself.
The indictment further alleges that child sexual abuse material was found on Atha’s phone at the time of his arrest. He has been charged with attempted enticement of a minor, which carries a potential life sentence.
As of August 16, 2024, it was unclear if Atha had entered a plea or secured legal representation. PEOPLE’s attempts to reach Alpine Dentistry, where Atha reportedly practices, for comment were unsuccessful.
This case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat child exploitation and the potential risks posed by individuals in positions of trust.
