After being found guilty for his role in a home invasion robbery of a North Canton Couple, Erick Howard was handed down his sentence inside a Stark County courtroom Tuesday.

The Canton Repository reports Howard will  be spending the next 30 years in prison after a jury convicted him last week of aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, kidnapping and rape, all with firearm specifications.

The other two co-defendants Seth Obermiller and Michael Taylor both testified the former two-time Mr Football award winner helped plan and carry out the violent attack August 20th as part of their plea deals.

The couple also testified in court saying they were bound with duct tape early that morning and robbed at gunpoint by two men wearing masks.

The woman said in court she could identify the former North Canton Hoover running back by his voice, saying he penetrated her either with a gloved finger or the tip of a gun.

The 20-year old Howard did not take the stand and his defense did not call any witnesses.

On the Web www.cantonrep.com