KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- The mayor of Kissimmee was booked into the Orange County jail Tuesday on charges he molested two patients. Mayor George Gant, who is also a doctor, returned from a mission trip in Peru late Tuesday afternoon after learning there was a warrant for his arrest.

State and federal agents arrested Gant as soon as he stepped off his plane at Orlando International Airport. A bondsmen met him at the jail so he could bond right out.

"He wants to clear his name, I guarantee you that. He certainly wasn't gonna sit down there for a few more days. He wants to come back and contest these charges," said Gant's attorney, Harrison "Butch" Slaughter.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement finished a yearlong investigation in April. Now the State Attorney's Office says charges are warranted and that Gant inappropriately touched two female patients while giving gynecological exams.

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"He does a very, not aggressive, but thorough examination and you have women of different backgrounds, different ethnicities, they may be thinking this exam was different for them. I don't know," said Slaughter.

Gant and his attorney still don't know who the alleged victims are. His 40-plus year medical career includes a private practice, decades as the medical director for the Osceola County Health Department and a federal program to screen women for breast and cervical cancer. His attorney says Gant denies all of the charges.

"You spend your entire life building up your reputation and an allegation gets made and, in just a few seconds, it's tarnished forever," Slaughter said.

If Governor Bush suspends Gant, or he resigns, Kissimmee commissioners will have to decide the next move. They could appoint a replacement within 30 days, someone who would fill the vacancy until November 6. Another option would be to hold a special election. That person would hold the seat until Gant's term is up in 2008.