Bill Cosby Sentenced to Prison in Sexual Assault Case

UPDATE: TMZ reports Gloria Allred appeared outside the courthouse with several alleged victims. She told the crowd, “This has been a long journey to justice for all of the accusers. We're glad the judgment day has finally come for Mr. Cosby." Cosby's spokesperson Andrew Wyatt also made a statement, saying, "They persecuted Jesus and look what happened. Not saying Mr. Cosby is Jesus, but we know what this country has done to black men for centuries."

Comedian Bill Cosby, 81, has been sentenced for his 2004 sexual assault of Andrea Constand.

On Tuesday, Judge Steven O'Neill sentenced the actor to three to 10 years in a Pennsylvania state prison, according to People magazine. Cosby will serve a minimum of three years and then be eligible for supervised release, according to NPR.

He was denied bail, and will be incarcerated immediately.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports O'Neill told the court, “It is time for justice in a court of law. The day has come. The time has come.”

The sentence was delivered after Cosby had been ruled a “sexually violent predator.” As a “predator,” Cosby will have to register as a sex offender, notify the community of his whereabouts, and attend counseling for life.

Constand, the former Director of Operations for Temple University's women's basketball team, accused Cosby of sexually assaulting her in his home in January 2004. Cosby denied the charges, but a jury found him guilty of the crimes in April.

Constand told the judge on Monday, “Your honor, I have testified. I have given you my impact statement. The jury heard me, Mr. Cosby heard me, and now what I am asking for is justice as the court sees fit.”

In July, Constand wrote a five-page letter to the judge explaining how the encounter has impacted her life. She wrote, “Bill Cosby took my beautiful, healthy young spirit and crushed it. He robbed me of my health and vitality, my open nature, and my trust in myself and others."

Dozens of women have accused the actor of sexual impropriety, bringing numerous civil cases against the legendary comedian. Cosby has denied all of the claims.