HOUSTON – A federal judge accused of sexual harassment by his former case manager was indicted Thursday on charges of abusive sexual contact and attempted aggravated sexual abuse, the U.S. attorney's office said.

U.S. District Judge Samuel Kent faces two counts of abusive sexual contact and one count of attempted aggravated sexual abuse.

"He's angry and ready for a fight. He is innocent. We will try this case. It is nothing but a false accusation," said Dick DeGuerin, Judge Kent's attorney.

The indictment alleges the criminal conduct happened March 23, 2007, and Aug. 29, 2003, Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Friedrich said.

An agreement with prosecutors will allow Judge Kent to surrender Wednesday for an initial court appearance.

A federal criminal investigation began in November 2007 after the former case manager, Cathy McBroom, complained about Judge Kent. She said he physically touched her under her clothing twice and often made obscene suggestions during the six years she worked for him.

Mr. DeGuerin has called any alleged sexual contact between Judge Kent and Ms. McBroom, "enthusiastically consensual."

"After a very difficult 17 months, I feel like I have finally been validated. I have listened and read with horror as Judge Kent's lawyer suggested that what happened to me was 'enthusiastically consensual,' " Ms. McBroom said in a statement sent to the Houston Chronicle. "I am relieved to find that even federal judges are not above the law, and that sexual abuse in the workplace is never acceptable, no matter the status of the offender."

Judge Kent received a reprimand from the judicial council of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals over a judicial misconduct complaint filed by Ms. McBroom. He was ordered to take a four-month leave and reassigned from Galveston to Houston.

The Associated Press