UPDATE 10/9/12 @ 11:40 a.m.
BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) -- Jerry Sandusky has been sentenced to at least 30 years in prison in the child sexual abuse scandal that brought shame to Penn State and led to coach Joe Paterno's downfall.

The sentence means the 68-year-old former Penn State assistant coach will be in prison at least until he's nearly 100-years-old.

Judge John Cleland issued the sentence Tuesday, three months after a jury convicted Sandusky on 45 counts of child sexual abuse.

Sandusky maintains his innocence and plans to appeal, a process his lawyer has said will probably begin in the coming weeks.

Sandusky is professing his innocence, says he is not a monster and says he didn't do the "alleged disgusting acts."

Jurors announced the verdict late Friday night after weighing 48 charges accusing him of abusing 10 boys over a 15-year period.

The panel heard from eight accusers who say Sandusky molested them. They also heard about two other alleged victims whose identities remain unknown to investigators.

Prosecutors say Sandusky found victims through his charity for at-risk children, The Second Mile. They say he gave them gifts and took them on trips as he groped them or forced them into sex.

Defense attorneys say accusers are out for money and that investigators inappropriately shared details among witnesses.

Following the verdict, Sandusky was led away in handcuffs from the courthouse after being convicted of molesting 10 boys over 15 years.

In court, Sandusky half-waved toward family as the sheriff led him away. Outside, he calmly walked to a sheriff's car with his hands cuffed in front of him.

The former Penn State assistant football coach has been convicted of 45 counts.

Sandusky showed little emotion as the verdict was read. The judge ordered him to be taken to the county jail to await sentencing in about three months.

His attorney, Karl Rominger, says it was "a tough case" with a lot of charges and that an appeal was certain. He says the defense team "didn't exactly have a lot of time to prepare." He says Sandusky "took it well" upon hearing the verdict.

Sandusky left a Pennsylvania county jail Thursday in a grey sedan after securing his release with $200,000 in real estate holdings and a $50,000 certified check provided by his wife.

Under the terms of his release, Sandusky will be subject to electronic monitoring.

Sandusky was jailed Wednesday on 12 new charges of child sex abuse after a grand jury report released details of testimony from two new alleged victims. In all, Sandusky faces more than 50 charges and is accused of molesting 10 different boys.

He maintains his innocence.

The former Penn State assistant coach was jailed Wednesday after a brief court hearing.

Sandusky faces new charges based on the testimony of two new accusers, including one who claims Sandusky molested him numerous times in a basement bedroom at Sandusky's home. He already faced 40 counts of child sex abuse involving eight young boys over a 15-year span.

Sandusky lawyer Joseph Amendola says his client maintains his innocence.

Senior Magisterial District Judge Robert E. Scott said if Sandusky does make bail, he will be under house arrest and subject to electronic monitoring.

Prosecutors had sought $1 million in bail.

Authorities say Sandusky was arrested and arraigned Wednesday.

The charges were brought after the new accusers were questioned by a grand jury. Both alleged victims were part of Sandusky's Second Mile charity. One claims he was assaulted in 1997 and the other in 2004.

A call seeking comment from Sandusky's lawyer, Joseph Amendola, was not immediately returned.