Earlier today, Bill Cosby was sentenced to three to ten years in state prison for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand.

Presiding Judge Steven O'Neil officially labeled Cosby, 81, a "sexually violent predator," forcing him to undergo counseling for life and requiring he appear on the sex offenders' registry where he lives. The actor and comedian, once hailed as "America's Dad," now faces a maximum of ten years in prison after prosecutors and attorneys agreed to merge three of the sexual assault allegations against him into one sentence. Prosecutors asked for prison time between five and ten years, while Cosby's defense asked for a sentencing of house arrest, indicating his advanced age and legal blindness.

In Constand's victim impact statement, she spoke about the lifetime effect of the assault, saying, "When the sexual assault happened, I was a young woman brimming with confidence and looking forward to a future bright with possibilities. Now, almost 15 years later, I'm a middle-aged woman who's been stuck in a holding pattern for most of her adult life, unable to heal fully or to move forward."

O'Neil said to Cosby, "This was a serious crime. Mr Cosby, this has all circled back to you. The day has come, the time has come." He also added, "No one is above the law, and no one should be treated differently or disproportionally." He called Constand's statement "powerful."

Kathy McKee, a former actress who also accused Cosby of sexual misconduct, said that she is happy with O'Neil's sentencing, and that she is proud of Constand for "standing strong."

Cosby's defense stated that they would appeal the conviction.

Joshua Smalley is a New York-based writer, editor, and playwright. Find Josh at his website and on Twitter: @smalleywrites.

POP⚡DUST | Read More…

Cannon V. Kanye – And the Beef Goes On

Bert and Ernie, More than "Just Friends?"

Bill Cosby Faces Sentencing