Attorney General Mike DeWine
Convicted Child Rapist gets double life sentence 

(CHILLICOTHE, Ohio) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today that a Washington Court House man has been sentenced to two life sentences following his conviction on a total of nine charges of Rape, Gross Sexual Imposition, and Felonious Sexual Penetration. 

Visiting Judge William Corzine sentenced Gary Freeland to two consecutive life sentences plus two years Friday afternoon.  A Ross County jury found him guilty last month of sexually abusing three children in the mid-1990s. 

"I believe today's sentence suits the crime," said Attorney General Mike DeWine.  "This man got away with the abuse for more than a decade, so it is appropriate that he'll now serve several more decades in prison." 

Two of the victims knew Freeland through their families.  Freeland was a tutor to the third victim when the crimes occurred. 

Freeland will serve 22 years in prison before he is eligible for parole.  If released, he would have to register his address once every 90 days as a sex offender. 

Special prosecutors with the Ohio Attorney General's Office prosecuted the case, while deputies with the Ross County Sheriff's Office led the investigation.