16 Jul 2012 02:57 PM EST

-by Rebecca Baird-Remba, Staff Writer; Image: Michael Pena (Image Source: Gully Post)

Ex-police officer Michael Pena pleaded guilty to raping a teacher in her Inwood apartment as part of his plea deal, earning another 10 years on his prison sentence of 75 years to life.

A pending appeal could take decades off his life sentence, Pena’s lawyer told the New York Post.

“He’s hopeful that an appeal will restore this sentence to something approaching human numbers,” said the lawyer, Ephraim Savitt.

Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Richard Carruthers said the 10 years would be served concurrently, adding no time to his original sentence.

The four rape charges were added because Pena’s jury deadlocked on them, even after victim and witness testimony.

“This sentence in no way reflects the seriousness or the grievous nature of his crimes,” said the judge, adding that he handed it down to “to spare the victim from having to confront her attacker again.”

Pena’s lawyer acknowledged that he was a “broken man.”

“He obviously realizes he has destroyed his life,” Pena’s lawyer told reporters afterward. “And that he has affected a young woman’s life, and disappointed his family and his police department.”

Pena, formerly of the 33rd Precinct, was caught raping the 25-year-old woman last August.