A former Dubuque police officer accepted a plea agreement in which he pleads guilty to one count of third degree sexual abuse. A second charge of third-degree sexual abuse will be dropped as a part of the deal .

Kyle Cross accepted the agreement on Monday. His lawyer confirms me will now have to register as a sex offender.

The 30-year-old spoke exclusively to KCRG-TV9 in September 2015. Cross admitted he broke the law, but claimed the law needed to change.

Cross says he met a girl online who told him she was 19. He says they met for a date and ended up having sex. Cross says it wasn't until a couple of days later he found out the girl was actually a missing 14 year old.

According to Iowa law, someone having sexual contact with a 14 or 15-year-old must be less than four years older or else it is illegal.

Court documents show a woman reported in February her 14 year old daughter ran away. Police say the girl was found at Cross' home.

Cross' sentencing hearing is set for 9 a.m. on April 25th. The county attorney is recommending a suspended 10-year prison sentence.