A Camden Metro Police officer accused of masturbating inside a Camden County Starbucks last year pleaded guilty to lewdness charges Monday.

Lt. Benito Gonzalez was arrested in May following the incident at the coffee chain's shop along Route 70 in Cherry Hill, N.J.

Prosecutors say Gonzalez pulled down his shorts and began to masturbate while seated at a table inside the store. He was off-duty at the time.

Camden Metro Police Chief Scott Thompson suspended the decorated lieutenant without pay and called the allegations "deeply troubling."

On Monday, Gonzalez pleaded guilty to misdemeanor lewdness charges in connection to the incident. He is now set to appear at an administrative hearing in which police officials will decide whether or not he will be fired.

Gonzalez remains suspended without pay.