Former Freetown substitute teacher convicted of child rape

FREETOWN, Mass. (WLNE) — A former Freetown-Lakeville substitute teacher was convicted Monday on child rape charges.

The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office said 58-year-old Gilbert Hernandez was convicted on charges relating to the rape and molestation of a 14-year-old girl in 2018.

Officials said Hernandez knew the victim through a friendship she had with his son, along with his role as a substitute teacher in the Freetown-Lakeville school system.

Hernandez also made contact with the victim through his role as a Sunday school teacher at a church in Freetown.

The District Attorney’s Office said the rapes and molestations occurred between February and July of 2018 in the towns of Freetown, Raynham, Taunton and Lakeville.

The Freetown Police Department said Hernandez was arrested on March 8, 2021, by Massachusetts State Police on outstanding arrest warrants from Freetown and Lakeville police.

Hernandez is set to be sentenced in Fall River Superior Court on Wednesday morning.

A full list of his charges can be seen below:

• Five counts of rape of a child-aggravated by more than a 10-year age difference
• Two counts of rape of a child by force
• Four counts of indecent assault and battery
• Two counts of dissemination of obscene matter to a child