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A Scranton police officer accused of making unwanted sexual advances while on duty toward four women pleaded no contest during his pre-trial arraignment Friday and could face jail time.

The city plans to fire Patrolman Chris Davis, who was suspended without pay last June when he was first arrested, city Director of Public Safety Raymond Hayes said.

A no contest plea means an accused person does not admit guilt but does not dispute the charges. At sentencing, it’s the same as a guilty plea.

Davis, 34, of Colfax Avenue, entered the plea before Lackawanna County Judge Michael Barrasse, who ordered him to undergo an evaluation for sexual disorders at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. The judge also ordered a pre-sentencing investigation. Such investigations, which focus on a suspect’s background, help judges decide an appropriate sentence. Sentencing is likely to take place in about three months, but no firm date is set.

Davis told the judge he is taking the anti-anxiety prescription drug, Xanax.

His lawyer, Paul Walker, held out hope his client would receive a probationary sentence, despite an earlier conviction on a drug charge.

"I don’t think that’s a possibility," Lackawanna County Assistant District Attorney Gene Riccardo said.

Riccardo said he’ll seek jail time, and sentencing guidelines could mean at least two years in jail.

Davis pleaded no contest to indecent assault and official oppression. Indecent assault is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to five years in jail and a $10,000 fine. Official oppression is a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by two years in jail and a maximum $5,000 fine.

Davis declined to comment as he left a county courtroom with his family.

"He just wants to get this behind him," Walker said.

He declined to say whether Davis is sorry for what happened.

"I think the victims are relieved it’s over," Riccardo said. "They think he’s a sexual predator."

Davis was arrested last June and charged with touching the breasts of a Marywood University student and coercing her into fondling him after taking her from a traffic accident to her dormitory room. He was also charged with pulling over a second woman, driving her home, then trying to make her perform a sex act on him. He told her he let her get away with driving drunk.

Two other women came forward with similar stories later and new charges were added.

The incidents all happened between March and June 2006.

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