(LANSING) – A former Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Deputy has plead guilty to a charge of misconduct.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Tuesday that 46 year old Todd Barkley entered a plea of guilty to a charge of misconduct in office. He will be sentenced to three years probation and will never be able to serve again as a law enforcement officer.

Barkley arrested a woman on multiple occasions and then exploited his position with the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Office to coerce the female suspect into a sexual relationship. While he was off duty, Barkley drove to Fulton, Kentucky where the woman was being treated for substance abuse and used his badge to take the woman out of the facility for the day to have sex with her. He also had sex with the woman in Michigan.

Barkley has been fired from the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Office.

Nessel says Michigan holds it’s law enforcement officers to the highest level of honesty and integrity and it’s unfortunate when the public’s trust is violated. She says the Department of Attorney General holds accountable anyone who breaks the law and is a haven for those who have been victimized and exploited.

Barkley is scheduled to be sentenced on December 15 in Jackson County Circuit Court.