Columbus Attorney Charged With Sex Crime

Columbus police have arrested an attorney on a sex charge after a woman reported she was fondled during a meeting at the attorney's office. Police say the incident happened at the office of defense attorney Javier Armengau on the afternoon of April 4. A police report says that Armengau, arrested Wednesday on charges of gross sexual imposition and public indecency, is accused of forcibly fondling a woman and exposing himself. Detective James Ashenhurst tells the Columbus Dispatch Thursday the woman was meeting with Armengau about a murder charge against her son, whom Armengau is representing. Phone and email messages were left with Armengau Thursday seeking comment. The Columbus police sexual assault and vice units and the Franklin County Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Unit conducted the investigation.