Cop: Fed Caught In Sex Sting Tries Suicide

U.S. Prosecutor Who Sought Sex With 5-Year-Old Girl Allegedly Tried To Hang Himself In Jail

(AP)  A federal prosecutor from Florida who authorities say flew to Michigan for a sexual encounter with a 5-year-old girl tried to hang himself in his jail cell Thursday but was stopped in time, the sheriff said.

John D.R. Atchison, 53, used a sheet in an attempted hanging around 4 a.m., said Sanilac County Sheriff Virgil Strickler.

Another inmate yelled out to jailers, who kept Atchison from hurting himself, Strickler said.

The 119-bed Sanilac County Jail is in Sandusky, about 75 miles north of Detroit. U.S. marshals sometimes use it to house federal prisoners. Marshals moved Atchison after the suicide attempt, the sheriff said. Atchison's destination was not known.

The married father of three is an assistant U.S. attorney based in Pensacola, Fla., and president of a youth sports association in Gulf Breeze.

He was arrested Sunday and was initially placed on a suicide watch, but the watch was lifted at the request of the defense, after Atchison assured a U.S. magistrate Tuesday he wouldn't harm himself.

Atchison was arrested at Detroit Metropolitan Airport after arriving for a meeting with someone authorities say Atchison thought was the mother of a 5-year-old girl with whom he allegedly arranged to have sex. The woman was actually a Macomb County sheriff's detective participating in an Internet sex sting operation.

Atchison was charged with three felonies, the most serious of which is crossing state lines with intent to have sex with someone under 12. Conviction carries a minimum 30-year prison sentence and a maximum of life.

His defense lawyer, James C. Thomas, has declined to comment on the arrest. He told the Detroit News that he regretted asking for the suicide watch to be lifted.

Atchison's boss, U.S. Attorney Gregory R. Miller, said in a statement earlier this week that his office was cooperating with the investigation. He said staff members were “deeply saddened by the arrest.”

[Krazcarl]

Blaze083.. What a desperate attempt to look down your nose at someone you fool no one.

[blaze083]

I think that most of the content posted on this site is inappropriate. In my class we have to pick a story and tell our class about it. When we get on this website or on others we do not want to see comments such as "hang him by his balls," posted. This is unacceptable. There are so many "other words that can be used in place of that comment. Yes the story upsets you. I understand that, but use words that are less inappropriate. Comments like that are made by "middle school children." I am a senior and I don''t use coments like this. It''s pretty bad when a 17 year-old speaks better than you!!!

[reason8]

U.S. Attorney Gregory R. Miller, his boss, said that staff members were "saddened by the arrest." Shouldn''t they be glad that "one more" is off the street and not allowed to reach other children to do them harm??

[ekucrew]

Drive him 8 hours north to Mackinac Island and hang him from the bridge.

Strike that... just save money on gas and hang him from the bridge at Belle Isle in Detroit.

[jetlizhan]

has the entire world developed a case of ''dumbassity''?? this is so sick - put him in the same cell with oj''s dumb@ss.

[prouduscitiz]

Hang him by his balls!!!!!!!!!!!

[alabamdeb]

All I want to know is the name of the IDIOT who called the guard to stop him!

GRRRR!!!

Here John, use this rope I found "lying around"...

[mythoughtsr]

Over and over again, these types of stories come up. It''s sick and twisted. Then, they get convicted, go to jail for a few years, come out and live among us. Half of the time they do it again. Why not just castrate the freaks or throw them in jail and throw away the key? Why should they ever see the light of day again? They are monsters, treat them as such. Every time I tell my little children there are no such things as monsters, I wonder if I believe it myself.

[keithle1]

You don''t just wake up one day & say I''m going to molest a child. It''s been on your mind for a long time or you have acted on that impulse before.

I see he has three kids. Any girls? If so, I bet his
wife isn''t sleeping too well.

"Atchison was charged with three felonies, the most serious of which is crossing state lines with intent to have *** with someone under 12. Conviction carries a minimum 30-year prison sentence and a maximum of life."

If the girl/boy is 12, 13, 14, or 15 then it''s ok?
Is the age of the man a factor?

"..president of a youth sports association in Gulf Breeze."

He cares about kids. You have to give him that.

[acluprotects]

Becareful of the prosecutors: Today the Prosecutor of Mecosta County Michigan just threatned me "I will get you arrested" What are you going to charge me for? "I can have you arrested right now for disorderly conduct". He said that right in front of the county clerk and others. Imagine how they abuse their power.
Disorderly Conduct is the vague charge that these corrupt prosecutors have always used but God has his way and one day they end up in Jail like this Federal Prosecutor or if they dont they end up getting divorce living a miserable life because in the inside they are all probably some sort of predator.