Judge hands down historic 156-year sentence to repeat child sex offender

BETHEL, Alaska (KTUU/Gray News) - A repeat offender has been sentenced to one of Alaska’s longest prison terms for sexual assault.

Bethel Superior Court Judge William Montgomery sentenced 58-year-old Leonard Olrun to 156 years after a jury found him guilty in March of two counts of first-degree sexual abuse of a minor and misconduct involving a controlled substance.

Jurors determined Olrun repeatedly sexually abused children between December 2019 and early 2021 and gave marijuana to one of his victims.

Prosecutors said his prior convictions — dating back to 1987 and 2001 — and his history of violent behavior factored heavily into the court’s decision.

Officials said the court found multiple aggravating circumstances, including Olrun being more than 10 years older than his victims and his prior convictions for similar crimes.

Montgomery described Olrun as being a “worst offender” and said the composite sentence was necessary to protect the public.

Assistant Attorney General Bailey Woolfstead told the court the state sought a sentence of 175 years, arguing Olrun’s criminal record poses the question: “How many times should a person be allowed to sexually abuse children before we say enough?”

Through counsel, Olrun requested a minimum sentence of 52 years.

However, Montgomery said the community needed to see the case as an example that the justice system could respond.

“One person with enough courage came forward, the process worked,” he said. “The community in Mekoryuk does not have to deal with Mr. Olrun inflicting more pain on that community.”