Roy Atchison

Mugshot of Atchison

John David "Roy" Atchison is an assistant U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Florida who was arrested on September 16, 2007 at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport in an Internet sex sting organized by the Macomb County Sheriff's Office and the FBI. He had allegedly flown to Michigan with the intent of having sex with a 5-year-old girl.

A MySpace page created by Atchison, using the nickname "fldaddy04" and describing himself as an "Experienced, understanding Daddy," drew the attention of the sting operation. He was contacted via instant message on August 29 by undercover officers posing as a mother willing to offer her 5-year-old daughter for sex. In daily conversations with the officers, Atchison described several graphic sexual acts he wished to perform with the fictitious girl. He suggested the mother tell the girl that "you found her a sweet boyfriend who will bring her presents." When he was asked about possible physical injury to the young girl, Atchison allegedly responded, "I am always gentle and loving; not to worry, no damage ever, no rough stuff ever. I only like it soft and nice. … Just gotta go slow and very easy. I've done it plenty." At the time of his arrest at the Detroit airport, he had in his possession a Dora the Explorer doll, hoop earrings and petroleum jelly.

A not guilty plea was entered on Atchison's behalf to the following three charges:

• Attempted enticement of a minor using the Internet, which carries a potential 30-year sentence.
• Aggravated sexual abuse, another potential 30-year sentence.
• Traveling across state lines to have sex with someone under 12, a charge added on September 18 which carries a potential life sentence.

On September 20, Atchison attempted to commit suicide by hanging himself with a bed sheet, but was stopped by guards at the Sanilac County Jail where he was being detained.

Prior to his arrest, Atchison lived in Gulf Breeze with his wife Barbara, a teacher at Gulf Breeze High School, and their three children. He attended the University of Florida and received his law degree from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1986 and has worked in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Pensacola since the late 1980s, handling mostly asset forfeitures.

He was also president of the Gulf Breeze Sports Association. Vice president Mike Mabry told the Pensacola News Journal, "Honestly, we're trying to put this behind us. Our goal is to be here for the kids. This is the last thing the kids need. We will move forward." Responding to concerns stemming from the comment, "I've done it plenty," Gulf Breeze Police Chief Peter Paulding assured residents the department had received no local complaints against Atchison.

Atchison is a longtime friend of Gulf Breeze City Manager Edwin "Buz" Eddy, who said he hopes the charges are the result of a misunderstanding. "Before reading about this, I would have trusted him with my wife and kids."