WARREN — A former Akron police officer faces a potential maximum sentence of 61 to 65 years after pleading guilty to eight felony sex offenses involving a minor, according to the Trumbull County Prosecutor’s Office.

Geoffrey Parker, 34, of Mineral Ridge, entered his plea before Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Ronald Rice to charges that include three counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor, three counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material, one count of gross sexual imposition and one count of pandering obscenity involving a minor.

At the Nov. 26 sentencing hearing, Rice also will declare him a Tier 2 sexual offender, meaning Parker will have to register his address with a local sheriff’s office twice per year for the next 25 years. The plea offset a jury trial that was scheduled to begin Nov. 12.

A pre-sentence investigation has been ordered, and the Trumbull County Prosecutor’s Office plans to recommend an extensive prison sentence.

The charges against Parker surfaced after a cyber tip that flagged his activity on a text messaging app. According to Niles Law Director Phillip Zuzolo, Parker took explicit photos of a 4-year-old and shared them in online chat rooms, which require participants to “give something to get something” to gain access.

Parker was initially held on a $1 million bond after his arrest in August by Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation agents. During an earlier court appearance, Niles Municipal Court Judge Christopher Shaker prohibited Parker, if released on bond, from residing in his Weathersfield home because of its proximity to a school.

Employed by the Akron Police Department for four years, Parker was placed on leave pending the outcome of his case. He initially was booked in Summit County jail before being transferred to Trumbull County jail.