DANIELSON, Conn. (AP) – An eastern Connecticut lawmaker struck a plea deal Wednesday on charges he sexually assaulted an 8-year-old boy, and agreed to register as a sex offender. He also resigned.

Under the deal with prosecutors, state Rep. Jefferson Davis pleaded guilty to a charge of risk of injury to a minor and will accept a 10-year suspended prison term and probation when he is sentenced in November.

The agreement also calls for Davis to register as a sex offender and receive counseling and evaluation.

The six-term Democratic lawmaker, who announced in May he would not run for re-election, submitted his resignation Wednesday, Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz said. He had been scheduled to go on trial next month.

House Majority Leader James Amann, D-Milford, said he believed legislative leaders would not appoint someone to fill Davis’ seat because the election is in a little more than two months and the Legislature won’t be in session until January.

Davis’ plea came under the Alford Doctrine: He does not admit guilt but concedes the state has enough evidence to find him guilty.

“I know who I am and what I am not,” Davis said in a written statement given to reporters outside of court.

According to allegations read in court, prosecutors said Davis admitted masturbating in front of the child, exposing himself and teaching the boy how to masturbate.

Defense attorney Hubert Santos said Davis was not guilty but added, “There may have been mistakes in judgment here.”

“The risk of going to trial on these charges is very dangerous,” Santos said.

Davis said in his statement the day was “one more crushing blow to my idealism and optimism.” He said he had to make a choice to fight to preserve his innocence or protect his freedom to continue to make life better in Connecticut.

“I believe the best way to protect my bloodied, but still intact idealism, is to do the latter,” he said.

Davis had previously pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor. Prosecutors alleged the assaults were between 2000 and 2002.

Davis was arrested after a two-month state police investigation into allegations made by the boy, who is now 12.

A message was left seeking comment from B. Paul Kaplan, an attorney for the child.

Last year, former Waterbury Mayor Philip Giordano was sentenced to 37 years in federal prison for having sexual relations with the young daughter and a niece – ages 8 and 10 – of a prostitute.