OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — After nearly four hours in court, an Edmond masseur accused of raping a client has been sentenced.
Jeremy McMullen took an Alford Plea, which is where he pleads guilty, but does not admit to the crime and asserts his innocence.
McMullen waived his right to a trial and was originally there for a no contest plea, accepting punishment but not admitting guilt.
With that, he learned he would still have to register as a sex offender for life.
There was a lot of back and forth with this, as he continued to say he did not understand what he was doing.
The judge and lawyers had to continue to tell him that no matter what he decided, he would have to register as a sex offender for life.
After several deliberations on what kind of plea to take, he decided to withdraw his waiver of a trial, saying "I always wanted a trial," but thought if he took an Alford plea he wouldn't have to register as a sex offender.
The judge denied this motion. She said she believed McMullen was not comfortable with the evidence and testimony brought forward and changed his story.
Ultimately, McMullen decided to plea guilty by way of Alford.
The judge sentenced him to 14 years in prison and six years on probation, which is longer than the state's request for 10 years in prison and 10 years on probation.
The victim requested 14 years because by that time, all of her children will be adults.
"My children and I have lived in fear and we've been waiting for this moment and I'm so thankful that she took the evidence into consideration and ultimately sentenced him to what I think he deserved," said Moriah Norman, victim.
McMullen was sentenced on three counts of sexual battery and one county of rape in the first degree by instrumentation.
Norman wants other rape victims to know they are not alone and justice can be served.
