Matthew Koso

Matthew Koso (born December 30, 1982) is a Falls City, Nebraska native whose case sparked controversy in both Nebraska and Kansas. In July, 2005, Koso was charged in Nebraska for statutory rape after his thirteen-year-old girlfriend became pregnant. They married when the girl turned 14. In Kansas, minors under the age of eighteen are allowed to wed with parental consent.

Controversy
The marriage divided public opinion. Some people suggested that since the two had married, and had begun to raise a new-born child, the public would benefit most by forgiving Koso's actions. That is, they would prefer that he continue his employment and contribute to society, rather than spend time incarcerated as a liability to the State (with the additional risk of his spouse becoming a liability as well via the public relief system).

On the other hand, others contend that Koso had committed a serious offense against society when he had sex with a minor. They argue that Koso's action was inherently wrong (mala in se) and that marrying the teenage mother did not make it right. They feel that incarceration is worth the associated cost, as it may deter other individuals from engaging in similar conduct.

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius said that as a result of this controversy, she would request for the minimum age for marriage to be made 16 rather than the lack of a statutory minimum age for marriage (a modification of the marriage law was passed in spring 2006.) In Nebraska, Attorney General Jon Bruning charged Koso with one count of first-degree sexual assault, which is punishable by up to 50 years in prison. Bruning said he would not allow his state to have an adult male involved in a sexual relationship with a young adolescent girl. In taking this action he took the case out of the hands of Richardson County DA Jeffrey Goltz, who had not made a decision about criminal charges against Koso.

The indictment drew international headlines until a plea bargain was negotiated. On February 7, 2006, Judge Daniel Bryan sentenced Koso to 18 to 30 months in prison.

Koso was released on May 5, 2007. As of February 2010, the Kosos are still married with 4 children.