Jerry Sandusky sentenced to at least 30 years in prison
Jerry Sandusky will be in prison at least until he’s almost 100 years old after a child sexual abuse scandal that devastated the Penn State campus after coming to light nearly a year ago.
The 68-year-old former Nittany Lions assistant football coach was sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison by Judge John Cleland on Tuesday, after giving a long, rambling statement in which he denied the allegations against him.
Under Pennsylvania law, Sandusky cannot be released on parole before the minimum term is up.
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Sandusky’s lawyers said he plans to appeal the decision. He has consistently maintained his innocence and released an audio monologue, aired Monday night by Penn State Com Radio, saying, “In my heart, I know I did not do these alleged disgusting acts.”
Once a cherished member of the Penn State community, Sandusky was found guilty in June of 45 counts of child sexual abuse, convicted of molesting 10 boys over a 15-year period. According to witnesses, Sandusky used his charitable foundation, The Second Mile, to find and groom his victims.
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Eight of his victims testified at his trial, describing such behaviors as fondling, oral sex and anal intercourse. Former graduate assistant Mike McQueary testified he witnessed Sandusky raping a boy in a locker room shower.
Sandusky was arrested 11 months ago, igniting a scandal that led to the firing of legendary football coach Joe Paterno, who died earlier this year, and university President Graham Spanier.
The football team has also been dealt crippling NCAA sanctions, including a $60-million fine, a ban on postseason play, a reduction in scholarships and the voiding of 14 years of victories, which made Paterno no longer the winningest coach in major-college football history.
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