Prosecutor accused of arranging for child sex

DETROIT (AP) — A U.S. prosecutor accused of using the Internet to arrange for sex with a 5-year-old girl flew to Michigan carrying sexual materials and presents for the child, authorities said Tuesday.

John D.R. Atchison, 53, of Gulf Breeze, Fla., was arrested Sunday at Detroit Metropolitan Airport after several weeks of Internet conversations between the prosecutor and a detective posing as the mother of a 5-year-old girl, authorities say.

Officials said Atchison, an assistant U.S. attorney in Florida, made the trip anticipating a sexual encounter but was arrested instead. He was carrying presents for the girl, including a doll and hoop earrings, and also had sexual materials, including petroleum jelly, Sheriff Mark Hackel said.

A federal grand jury added a charge Tuesday of crossing state lines with intent to have sex with someone younger than 12. Atchison also faces charges of use of the Internet to seek illicit sex and interstate travel to engage in illicit sexual contact. He could face up to life in prison.

Defense lawyer James Thomas declined to comment after the hearing.

Atchison’s boss, U.S. Attorney Gregory R. Miller, said that his staff was “deeply saddened by the arrest.” He said his office was cooperating with the FBI, U.S. prosecutors and Michigan investigators and believed that “in the end, justice will be served.”