After the sexual abuse scandal related to the events at the religious compound of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, it’s time for another sexual scandal. This time, the event involves a notable name of the US District Court.

In May 2007, the alleged victim of a sexual abuse, Catty McBroom, who worked as a deputy court clerk assigned to federal judge Samuel B. Kent, 59, filled a sexual harassment complaint against the judge. The victim says the abuse started in 2003.

The federal judge accused of sexually abusing a former court employee was indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday on sexual abuse charges.

The indictment says that Kent “attempted to cause Person A (the alleged victim) to engage in contact between Person A’s mouth and defendant Kent’s penis by forcing Person A’s head toward defendant Kent’s groin area.” The indictment claims Kent engaged in sexual contact without that other person’s permission. The document adds that the alleged incidents occurred at the federal courthouse in Galveston, Texas.  

On the other hand, Kent’s attorney denies the accusations and claims that the relationship between the judge and his employee was “enthusiastically consensual” and says that his client is “angry and anxious to go to trial.” Kent said the woman complained of abuse when she was about to be fired.

McBroom issued a statement saying she is relieved to find that even federal judges are not above the law.

If convicted, the federal judge could face up to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.