COLUMBUS, Kan. (AP) — A former city councilman and elementary school crossing guard from southeast Kansas has been sentenced to life in prison for child sex crimes that authorities say spanned 35 years.

Seventy-nine-year-old Stanley Pickering, of Baxter Springs, pleaded guilty in April to six counts including aggravated criminal sodomy, indecent liberties and indecent solicitation.

A Cherokee County judge on Monday handed Pickering two consecutive life sentences without the chance of parole for 50 years.

Pickering resigned as a crossing guard and from the Baxter Springs City Council after his arrest in January. He remained on the ballot for re-election in March but lost to a write-in candidate.

Officials have said none of the offenses occurred on school property.

The case came to light last November when one victim, now an adult, contacted authorities.