A man convicted in a 1990 Waupaca County sexual assault may be sentenced by video conference, while still being in Oklahoma. That was the decision handed down by Waupaca County Judge John Hoffman on Thursday, following a motion hearing for 41-year-old Glendon Gouker.
Gouker assaulted a woman in an Iola park nearly 23 years ago, and new DNA analysis this year identified him as the perpetrator. He pleaded guilty to the charge earlier this month.
On Thursday, Gouker asked the judge to allow him to remain in Oklahoma for the Wisconsin sentencing. His attorney, Troy Nielson, said his client expects a life prison sentence with no parole after an expected guilty plea to murder and sexual assault in Oklahoma. So if a video-conferencing can be set up for the Waupaca County sentencing, Judge Hoffman would allow it.
The prosecution says the victim in the case consented to allow Gouker to remain in Oklahoma for the Wisconsin sentencing, a hearing for which a date has not been set. With the penalty enhancer for rape and concealing identity, he faces a maximum of 25 years in prison. Prosecutors will ask for the maximum penalty.
Gouker is to appear in a Shawnee County, Oklahoma court in early May for his charges in that state.
Jack Barry-WDUX