TRAVERSE CITY, MI — A former pastor avoided a trial after pleading to a sexual assault charge on Tuesday, Oct. 8.

Christopher Cox, the former pastor of Long Lake Church in Traverse City, pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree criminal sexual assault, according to 9&10 News.

The TV station was the only news outlet in the courtroom when the plea was given.

Cox faced several charges of sexual assault and a charge of delivering or manufacturing methamphetamine, according to the Associated Press.

The assaults occurred March 12 and in October at Cox’s Traverse City home, AP reported.

The March 12 accuser -- a 19-year-old man -- told police his life was threatened if he told anyone about the incident at Cox’s business office in Garfield Township.

Cox was arrested on March 29 in Muskegon, according to the AP.

At the time of his arrest, police said he was in possession of a package white crystalline substance suspected to be crystal meth.

Third-degree sexual assault involves penetration as well as that the offender “has reason to know that the victim is mentally incapable, mentally incapacitated, or physically helpless, according to Michigan law.

In court, Cox admitted his victim was physically helpless, and that he didn’t have permission to have sex with him, according to 9&10 News.