A former Cuyahoga Falls police officer pleaded guilty to sexual battery Wednesday for the sexual assault of a woman he met at a bar.

Lewis Watson was scheduled to go on trial Monday. Instead, he accepted a plea deal that resulted in prosecutors dismissing a more serious rape charge.

Watson, 27, of Cleveland, will be sentenced at 2 p.m. Oct. 7 by Summit County Common Pleas Judge Amy Corrigall Jones. He faces anything from probation to five years in prison.

Prosecutors say Watson assaulted the woman, whom he met through a friend while they were at a bar, on June 21, 2018, at Watson’s East Hunter Lake Drive apartment.

The Summit County Sheriff’s Office investigated.

Watson was immediately placed on administrative leave. He worked for the department from Feb. 20 until June 27, when he resigned.

Assistant Prosecutor Tom Kroll said the victim, who is now 23, and detectives signed off on the plea agreement. He said the victim will speak at the sentencing.

Jeff Laybourne, Watson’s attorney, said he will file a sentencing memorandum prior to the sentencing. He declined comment until after the sentencing.

Laybourne initially said his client, who has no prior criminal record, was disputing the allegation.

With his conviction, Watson will be designated a Tier 3 sex offender, which means he must register his address with the sheriff’s office for the rest of his life.

Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705, swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com and on Twitter@swarsmithabj.