Prison for ex-Tulip Time leader

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WOOD) - A former Tulip Time festival leader was  sentenced Monday for sexually assaulting two boys in 2005.

On March 16, Thomas Westerlund entered a guilty plea. On May 3, he was sentenced to 18-180 months for second degree criminal sexual conduct, and 12-24 months for fourth degree criminal sexual conduct.

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Westerlund, 51, worked for the event for 33 years. He quit his latest job as operations director in March 2009 after police raided his trailer.

Westerlund admitted to police he was sexually attracted to boys between the ages of 10 and 15, according to court documents. His attorney told 24 Hour News 8 a special agent testified Westerlund recruited boys who volunteered at the event and provided alcohol to minors.

The admissions to second-degree criminal sexual conduct and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct come as Westerlund is awaiting sentencing in federal court on child pornography and exploitation charges. His victims range in age from 13 to 16.

Westerlund faces a minimum 15-year sentence in federal court in connection with these charges when he is sentenced May 12.

Authorities wanted to pursue the state charges so Westerlund would be on the state's sex offender registry if he is released from prison.