Jerry Sandusky Sentenced, Maintains Innocence

Jerry Sandusky was sentenced Tuesday to 30 to 60 years in prison — effectively a life sentence — on 45 counts of sexual abuse, CNN reports.

In a statement that aired on Penn State's Com Radio on the eve of his sentencing, the 68-year-old former Penn State assistant coach maintained his innocence.

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"I'm responding to the worst loss of my life," Sandusky said. "First, I looked at myself. Over and over, I asked why? Why didn't we have a fair opportunity to prepare for trial? Why have so many people suffered as a result of false allegations? What's the purpose?... They could take away my life, they could make me out as a monster, they could treat me as a monster, but they can't take away my heart. In my heart, I know I did not do these alleged disgusting acts."

Sandusky went on to blame the child sexual abuse scandal that rocked Penn State on his accusers: "My wife has been my only sex partner that was after marriage. Our love continues. A young man who was dramatic, a veteran accuser, and always sought attention, started everything. He was joined by a well-orchestrated effort of the media, investigators, the system, Penn State, psychologists, civil attorneys and other accusers. They won. I've wondered what they really won: Attention, financial gain, prestige ... will all be temporary. Before you blame me, as others have, look at everything and everybody. Look at the preparation for the trial and the trial. Compare it to others. Think about what happened. Why, and who made it happen? Evaluate the accusers and their families. Realize they didn't come out of isolation. The accusers were products of many more people and experiences than me."

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Sandusky was convicted in June of molesting 10 boys over a 15-year period. Prosecutors said he used The Second Mile, a charity he founded, to find and groom his victims.

Sandusky was arrested in November after a grand jury report was released, which also led to the downfall of Penn State's head football coach Joe Paterno and President Graham Spanier, who both failed to properly report suspicions about Sandusky. The NCAA later implemented devastating sanctions on Penn State, including a $60 million fine and a ban on postseason play. The organization also retracted 14 years of Paterno's wins, taking away his title as the winningest coach in major college football. Paterno died in January at 85 from lung cancer.