A Buford area man who was a former corrections officer at the Highland County Justice Center was sentenced to 24 months in prison Friday after being convicted on one count of sexual battery, a third-degree felony, and was given a lifetime designation as a sex offender.

The conviction and sentencing of Robert Diskete, 34, who has a Hereford Road, Sardinia, mailing address, stemmed from ongoing sexual conduct with a female inmate from July 19 through Oct. 14 of last year, according to the original indictment which charged him with two counts of sexual battery.

Court documents state that Diskete changed his plea from not guilty to no contest on April 16 to one count of sexual battery, and that the state dismissed the second count, with the state and his defense attorney to later argue sentencing.

In his judgement entry of confinement, it was noted that Diskete “held a public office or position of trust in the community and the offence related to that office or position.”

It also stated that Diskete’s “professional reputation or occupation … was used to facilitate the offense or is likely to influence the future conduct or others,” and that his “relationship with the victim facilitated the offence.”

In addition to the prison sentence, Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss gave him one day credit for jail time already served.

His no contest plea agreement also specified he would be designated a Tier III registered sex offender, meaning he will be required to register personally with the Highland County Sheriff’s Office, or any other sheriff’s office should he move, every 90 days for the rest of his life.

According to the Ohio Revised Code, a Tier III designation is the most serious classification of sex offenders and legally indicates the offender to be a sexual predator.

Reach Tim Colliver at 937-402-2571.