[NYTr] Federal Prosecutor Arrested in Child Sex Sting

Tue Sep 18 18:23:31 EDT 2007

Sent by Kathleen Roberts (activ-l)

[Make sure to read Atchison's own words. - KR]

ClickOnDetroit - Sep 17, 2007
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/14132485/detail.html

Federal Prosecutor Arrested in Child Sex Sting 

DETROIT -- A U.S. Justice Department official has been arrested on
suspicion of traveling to Detroit over the weekend to have sex with
a minor.

John David R. Atchison, 53, an assistant U.S. attorney from the
northern district of Florida, was arraigned in U.S. District Court
in Detroit Monday afternoon.

An undercover officer posed as a mother offering her child to
Atchison for sex, according to police.

Prosecutors said Atchison flew from Pensacola, Fla., to Detroit on
Sunday intending to have sex with the 5-year-old girl.

He was arrested at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

He is charged with enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity.

According to authorities, Atchison made contact with a detective
working undercover for the Macomb County Sheriff's department's.

The detective, acting as the child's mother, allegedly arranged a
sexual encounter between Atchison and her 5-year-old daughter,
police said.

In deposition, detectives said Atchison suggested the mother tell
her daughter that "you found her a sweet boyfriend who will bring
her presents."

The undercover detective expressed concern about physical injury
to the 5-year-old girl as a result of the sexual activity. Detectives
said Atchison responded, " I am always gentle and loving; not to
worry, no damage ever, no rough stuff ever. I only like it soft and
nice."

The undercover detective asked how Atchison can be certain of no
injury. He responded, "Just gotta go slow and very easy. I've done
it plenty," according to detectives.

Atchison, a member of the Florida bar association since 1984, lives
in Gulf Breeze, Fla., near Pensacola.

He is president of the Gulf Breeze Sports Association, a youth
athletics organization.

He described himself online as a family man. His wife is a science
teacher at Gulf Breeze High School.

The Macomb County Sheriff's Department and the FBI were a part of
the investigation.

Atchison remains in federal custody and a detention hearing will
be held on Tuesday.