Federal judge indicted on additional sex charges
Headline News
U.S. District Judge Samuel Kent, the first federal jurist indicted on sex crimes, is now facing more serious charges.
Kent was set to be arraigned Wednesday, a day after a federal grand jury in Houston added three new charges to the indictment it issued in August that accuses him of making unwanted sexual advances toward his former court case manager.
The new charges — aggravated sexual abuse, abusive sexual contact and obstruction of justice — allege Kent engaged in unwanted sexual contact with a second former court employee and later lied about it to investigators.
"There is a gag order in the case which prohibits the parties from making any sort of comment with the exception of stating without elaboration what the defense is to these new charges," said Dick DeGuerin, Kent's attorney. "They are untrue and we believe the product of intense pressure and threats brought against the complainant."
In a press release, the Justice Department only gave a brief description of the additional charges against Kent.
Kent, who was released on his own recognizance after last year's indictment, is still on the bench.
Jury selection in Kent's trial on the initial charges against him was set to begin Jan. 26. It was not immediately known if the new charges would delay the trial.
If convicted, Kent faces up to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He is the first federal judge to be indicted in the last 18 years.
Kent initially faced two counts of abusive sexual contact and one count of attempted aggravated sexual abuse following a U.S. Justice Department investigation into complaints by case manager Cathy McBroom.
Related listings
-
Calif. court sides with Episcopals over property
Headline News 01/06/2009The state's high court ruled Monday that three Southern California parishes that left the U.S. Episcopal Church over its ordination of gay ministers cannot retain ownership of their church buildings and property.In an unanimous decision, the Californ...
-
Fla. judge strikes key charge against lawyer
Headline News 12/23/2008In a ruling hailed as a victory by defense lawyers, a federal judge on Monday dismissed a money-laundering conspiracy charge against a prominent attorney accused of illegal dealings with a Colombian drug lord.The issue was whether $5.2 million transf...
-
Prominent NY law firm seeks bankruptcy protection
Headline News 12/19/2008The receiver assigned to run a prominent Manhattan law firm after its founder was charged in a massive fraud says the firm will seek bankruptcy protection.In a recent letter to a federal judge, the receiver said founder Marc Dreier also may seek prot...
Victorville CA DUI defense Attorneys
The outcome of a DUI defense will have a long-term effect on anyone’s life, making the decision to receive legal representation an easy one. The fact is, most people accused of a DUI are first offenders with no criminal background. Whether this is your first run in with the law or you have had previous convictions, you are in need of a DUI defense attorney.
The charges you are facing for a DUI range from fines, a 12-month suspension on your license and worst-case scenario, prison time. Your attorney will be able to analyze your situation to decide the best way to go about your case.
Our attorneys know the tricky ways to challenge all of the DUI tests and know how to claim improper collection of evidence. We will be able to negotiate on your behalf and free you from charges and help you keep your drivers license. The DUI process can last up to several months, we can make this process easier on you. .