OLYMPIA, Wash. — A state patrolman accused of fondling women during traffic stops has quit following his modified guilty pleas for misconduct, the State Patrol chief said Monday.

Michael Idland’s resignation was effective 1 p.m. Monday. He remains on the patrol’s payroll until the end of the month, Chief John Batiste said.

“I want to tell the victims of Mr. Idland how very sorry we are for what they’ve been through,” said Batiste, who denounced Idland’s behavior as “unthinkable acts.”

Idland was placed on paid administrative leave in January 2004, when the fondling allegations were made. He was jailed in May 2004, after being arrested for investigation of having sexual contact with seven women he stopped while on patrol.

Idland remained on the patrol’s payroll during his incarceration and couldn’t be fired until an investigation satisfied his right to due process, Batiste said.

Idland entered modified guilty pleas, known as Alford pleas, late last month to three counts of custodial misconduct. Idland did not admit guilt, but conceded he likely would have been convicted at trial.

He’s scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 4. Prosecutors are expected to recommend a year and a half in custody – about the time Idland served while awaiting trial.

Idland’s resignation ends the patrol’s administrative investigation, Batiste said. Idland had been a member of the patrol for about five years, and is not eligible for retirement benefits, Batiste said.

Robert Freeby, Idland’s attorney during the criminal proceeding, did not immediately return a call seeking comment Monday.

The women Idland was accused of groping were pulled over during drunken driving traffic stops in 2002, many near the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge that links Seattle and Eastside suburbs.

In most cases, prosecutors said, they were given repeated body searches. Idland was accused of fondling the women during those searches.