Sean Lavin

A file photo of former Mercer County Sheriff's Officer Sean Lavin practicing with the Ancient Order of Hibernians Pipe Band.

(Martin Griff | Times of Trenton)

TRENTON -- A Mercer County Sheriff's officer was ordered to resign under an agreement that will allow him to avoid jail time on charges he used excessive force during a 2013 arrest.

The agreement, though announced Friday, was reached in October in Superior Court in Burlington County.

Sean Lavin, a 14-year veteran, was indicted in May 2014 on charges of official misconduct and tampering of public records for pepper-spraying a handcuffed woman outside an event at the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton.

Lavin was also accused of making false entries in police reports and "attempting to cause" subordinate officers to file false reports about the arrests that night, the prosecutor's office said at the time.

He had been suspended without pay since the Dec. 6, 2013 incident.

Under the terms of the plea deal, Lavin was ordered to resign from his position, is barred from getting a job with Mercer County and was given 18 months of PTI supervision and community service.

Mercer County Sheriff Jack Kemler issued a statement Friday since the union -- the Mercer County Police & Sheriff's Association FOP Lodge #140 -- continues to use Lavin's name and sergeant rank when asking for money.

Lavin is the president of the union, which has been the subject of recent complaints, Kemler said.

Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.