A former Georgetown police officer was free on bond Tuesday after accepting a plea deal, but in June he could be on his way to a state prison.

Jimmy Fennell walked out of the Williamson County Courthouse after surrendering his badge and his license to be a Texas lawman.

Fennell did not have a thing to say as he walked down the long hallway.

“It is not appropriate to make any comment. He won’t have any comment and I won’t either,” said Bob Phillips, Fennell’s attorney.

A few minutes earlier, the former Georgetown cop was standing before, and talking to, District Court Judge Burt Carnes.

“How do you plea?" asked Judge Carnes.

“Guilty,” replied Fennell.

Fennell was Indicted by a grand jury because of what he did after responding to a domestic disturbance call in October 2007. A woman involved in the case accused Fennell of taking her to a park. She clams he forced her to dance and then was sexually assaulted.

“And Mr. Fennell, were these negotiated agreements made with your consent? Carnes said. Fennell replied, "Yes Sir.”

The plea deal before Judge Carnes was for improper sexual activity with a person in custody and kidnapping. His attorney pointed out that charges of official oppression and aggravated sexual assault were dropped.

“It is of a sexual nature, it is not rape, O.K.?" said Phillips.

As a result, the charges he is admitting to do not automatically require him to be registered as a sex offender. Judge Carnes could amend the plea and make registration a condition of the deal. That decision will be made during his sentencing hearing June 24. Williamson County District Attorney John Bradley and Georgetown police officials declined to comment until after Fennell is formally sentenced.

Fennell’s case goes beyond tarnishing a Georgetown police badge. His name continues to come up as part of the death penalty appeal of Rodney Reed. Reed was convicted for the 1996 murder of Stacey Stites in Bastrop County. At the time, Fennell was dating Stites, and Reed’s attorneys have tried to use that relationship to cast doubt on Reed’s conviction. Fennell’s attorney dismisses such talk as an act of desperation.

“Jimmy Fennell was never a serious suspect in the case and you’ve heard from her relatives -- I think the Rodney Reed case needs to be put to bed. Rodney Reed needs to get the justice he is due,” said Phillips.

Reed’s attorney, Bryce Benjet, said the plea is significant development.

“It confirms everything about what we have been saying about his (Fennell’s) character and abusive conduct toward women,” said Benjet.

While an appeals court decides if Reed will get a new trial, justice for Fennell, if the deal is approved, would send him to prison for two years and place him on probation for 10.