Grand Haven boy, 16, sentenced to 6 to 20 years in prison after failing to progress in sex offender treatment

5-29-2010 Michigan:

GRAND HAVEN -- When Fathi Cullen was sentenced three years ago for barging into a young woman's home and sexually assaulting her, a judge thought the then-13-year-old boy could get help at a special Iowa treatment center for young offenders.

On Thursday, the same judge changed his mind and sent Cullen, now 16, to adult prison for six to 20 years.

He's likely one of the youngest offenders in Ottawa County to go to prison, court officials and a local attorney said.

"It is unusual," said Richard Persinger, who often practices in Ottawa County Family Court.

"There was a hammer over this boy's head, and the judge dropped that hammer," he said.

In June 2007, Cullen walked into a home in the River Haven Village mobile home park in Grand Haven Township and attacked an 18-year-old woman. He ripped off her shirt and grabbed at her breasts and crotch before she managed to fight him off.

Cullen was convicted as an adult of sex assault and home invasion, but Judge Mark Feyen sentenced him as a juvenile in hopes he could get sex-offender help at the Woodward Academy in Iowa. The conviction gave the judge the option of sending him to prison if he failed to progress.

Cullen's juvenile record includes convictions for indecent exposure in 2005, sex assault in 2006 for groping a woman at a Meijer store in Georgetown Township, and probation violations for looking at sexual websites at school and touching a school employee inappropriately.

Family members believe his behavior likely stemmed from sexual abuse and neglect Cullen reportedly suffered as a child before he was removed from his mother and eventually adopted by Antonio and Saundra Cullen.

In recent court records, juvenile court officials said Cullen failed to abide by the rules of Lakeside Academy in Kalamazoo, where he was transferred last year. Court officials also said he was not properly completing programs, such as sex-offender treatment, and had behavioral problems.

"I really do think this is a sad case," said Ottawa County Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer Kuiper. "It's what happens when you don't follow through with the system.

"This is a pretty big sentence for someone who is 16."

During Thursday's hearing, the victim was in court to tell how the assault devastated her life, leaving her with sleepless nights.

Antonio Cullen apologized for his son and said he didn't understand the behavior.

"It's a sad day for everyone involved," said R.J. Winter, the attorney appointed to represent Cullen.

The teen will be eligible for parole at age 19 because Feyen gave Cullen credit for the nearly three years he served at the two treatment academies.

Michigan has at least two prisons geared toward younger offenders, but court officials did not know if he would be sent there. ..Source.. John Tunison | The Grand Rapids Press