LAKE BUTLER, Fla. – A medical assistant was arrested last week in Lake Butler after investigators said he drugged a female patient and then sexually assaulted her.
Oscar Armengol, 53, is charged with of sexual battery, drug trafficking, unlawful delivery of controlled substances, and practicing medicine without a license.
Armengol was an 18-year employee of Dr. Marvin Johnson's office at 850 E. Maine St. in Lake Butler.
According to the Union County Sheriff's Office, the 22-year-old victim said that at about 6:30 p.m. Nov. 4, she arrived for an appointment at the doctor's office to be treated for fibromyalgia and pain management. She said she received treatment from Armengol, who gave her numerous medications in pill and intravenous form, to include Lortab, Xanax and Celebrex.
As the medication began to take effect, Armengol took photos of the woman and began massaging her in the areas he administered the medication, according to deputies. While disrobed, Armengol then sexually assaulted the woman for about 30 seconds while she was asking him to stop, investigators said.
"She made the allegations that she told him to stop and he continued to batter her several times," Union County Sheriff Jerry Whitehead said.
Whitehead said the victim told Armengol she couldn't afford the pain medicine she needed for her ailment, so he offered to treat her after hours.
"It just doesn't sound like him," patient Gabriel Alexander said. "I've known him for years while coming here."
Investigators said they received a search warrant for Armengol's Gainesville home. Last Tuesday, they seized computer equipment, a hard drive, digital and video cameras and equipment, and cash and various prescription medication.
Armengol was arrested and booked into the Alachua County jail on $600,000 bond.
"It will probably be a several-week investigation because a lot of it is computer-based and we have (the Florida Department of Law Enforcement) and other computer people working to disseminate the information," Whitehead said.
Armengol told investigators he is a doctor in Honduras but not licensed to practice in the U.S.
The doctor whom Armengol worked for refused to comment about the allegations against his employee.
Deputies said their investigation is ongoing and further charges could be forthcoming. If anyone feels they could be a victim or knows anything about this crime, call the Union County Sheriff's Office at 386-496-2501.