Sandusky Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Term for Sex Abuse

Jerry Sandusky, former Penn State University assistant football coach, was sentenced yesterday to 30 to 60 years in prison for sexually assaulting adolescent boys, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Mr. Sandusky, 68, was found guilty of 45 counts of child sex abuse in June. He encountered many of his victims through the Second Mile Foundation, a charity he started in State College, Pa., to help underprivileged youths. Eight of his accusers testified that Mr. Sandusky became a mentor and father figure to them before abusing them.

“It is the ultimate tragedy of this situation that all the qualities that made you so successful as a coach and community leader concealed those vices that let you down,” Centre County (Pa.) Court Judge John M. Cleland told Mr. Sandusky. “It is exactly your ability to conceal those vices that, in my opinion, makes you dangerous.”

In a speech before the court, Mr. Sandusky maintained his innocence.