Life sentence recommended for rapist

By Jane Glenn Cannon

Published: October 1, 2008

NORMAN -- A Cleveland County jury Tuesday convicted a Norman man of raping two teenage girls numerous times over a two-year period. The jury deliberated more than three hours before finding Gregory Michael Hernandez, 41, guilty of seven felony counts, including first-degree rape, second-degree rape, three counts of rape by instrumentation and two counts of engaging in a pattern of criminal offenses.

Jurors recommended Hernandez serve life in prison on the rape count and sentences totaling 79 years on the remaining counts. District Judge Tom Lucas has set formal sentencing for 2:30 p.m. Oct. 21.

The teenagers, now 14 and 16, testified Hernandez sexually assaulted them on numerous occasions while he was living with their mother.