A three year sentence was handed down on Wednesday 26th October 2011to the owner of a tattoo parlor for his part in a Ohio State scandal. The owner purchased football memorabilia of Ohio State started a football scandal and prompted an ongoing NCAA investigation. Federal Judge, Gregory Frost found that the owner, Edward Rife could not pay a $10,000 fine.

This is due to an earlier conviction that Rife had on drug trafficking and money laundering charges. Rife asked for leniency saying that he was his past crimes and convictions for assault and forgery did not make him a candidate to commit future crimes. Edward Rife is the owner of Fine Line Ink Tattoos and  Body Piercings on the West Side of Columbus.

Rife apologized for his actions to his family and friends. Rife is currently separated from his wife and according to him had to sell his house and move his daughters to a different location due to the taunts they received. Edward Rife said that he regrets his decision everyday as he knows that what he did was wrong. Judge Frost said that he sympathized with Rife’s family but little for Rife himself.

Frost also said that there was no getting around that it is a terrible offense. Prosecutors alleged that Rife a side business selling hundred of pounds of marijuana in addition to the tattoo parlor. In December, Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor and four other players received cash and discounted tattoos from Rife in exchange for signed championship rings and memorabilia.