Michael Dale Gray - Sentenced to 70 years for child molestation

A Crestview man was sentenced Wednesday to 70 years in prison for repeatedly molesting a girl, starting when she was 10 years old, according to a release from the state attorney’s office.

Michael Dale Gray, 32, was convicted Nov. 16 after a jury heard charges that he “routinely took the little girl into his bedroom, sexually battered and molested her while another child was in another room,” according to the release.

He threatened to kill himself in front of her if she told anyone, the release states.

Investigators also said Gray used routine excessive physical force to punish both the girl and the young boy.

Lawmen say the abuse began in 2004 when the girl was 10 and continued in 2006 after she turned 12.

Gray was charged with sexual battery on a victim 12 years or older and lewd or lascivious molestation on a victim less than 12 years old. Both crimes are first-degree felonies.

He also faced two counts of child abuse without great bodily harm, a third-degree felony.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and Department of Children and Families investigated the case.