MIAMI --A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer has pleaded guilty to three civil rights offenses for sexually groping three women at Miami International Airport.
    
Federal prosecutors say the 47-year-old entered the plea Tuesday. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 26 in Ft. Lauderdale. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a fine of up to $300,000.
    
During plea proceedings, Morales admitted that he groped three women in his custody at the airport without their consent last year.
    
Miami U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer said in a statement that Morales "misused his office and his power" and violated the civil rights of the victims.
    
A six-count indictment charged Morales with three felony counts of abusive sexual contact and three misdemeanor counts of deprivation of civil rights.

Associated Press