Jerry Sandusky was sentenced Tuesday to at least 30 years in prison—a term that the judge said will likely represent a life sentence for the 68-year-old former Penn State assistant football coach.
The long-time coach was found guilty in June of 45 counts of child sexual abuse and convicted of molesting ten boys over a 15-year stretch. The Associated Press reports that in court today, a “defiant Sandusky gave a long, rambling statement in which he denied the allegations and talked about his life in prison and the pain of being away from his family.”
The Washington Post with more from the scene:
At 10:09 a.m., Sandusky stood at the front of the courtroom in a bright red jumpsuit with his back to his wife and four of his children. Judge John M. Cleland told the 68-year old that the sentence of at least 30 years, but not more than 60 years, meant he would be in prison ‘for the rest of your life.’ Sandusky looked down for a moment, then back at the judge. The courtroom was quiet.
The sentencing took less than 90 minutes, but it provides yet another moment of closure for Sandusky’s victims, along with a community that has been stunned by one of the most devastating, high-profile scandals to hit higher education.
Under state law, Sandusky cannot be released on parole before he completes the minimum term, meaning he would be at least 98 years old before he would even be eligible for release.
