CLEVELAND, Ohio — A former Rocky River police officer admitted Monday that he illegally searched a law enforcement database to gain information about women and high school students.

Michael Bernhardt pleaded guilty to three counts of unauthorized use of the Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway, which are fifth-degree felonies. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of a year in prison and a $2,500 fine.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Timothy McCormick will sentence him Dec. 10.

A Cuyahoga County grand jury in March indicted Bernhardt on 12 counts of misusing law enforcement databases. The programs allow officers to store and query criminal justice data, but their use for personal matters is prohibited.

County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley said that Bernhardt conducted 77 illegal searches, mo

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