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Man pleads guilty in child bride sex case

Posted on: Tuesday, 13 December 2005, 17:22 CST

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Reuters) - A Nebraska man who impregnated and married a 14-year-old pleaded guilty to sexual assault on Tuesday for his relationship with the girl and faces up to 50 years in prison.

Matt Koso, 22, pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual assault in Richardson County District Court for breaking a Nebraska law that prohibits anyone aged 19 or older from having sex with anyone under the age of 16.

The case drew national attention and prompted a call for changes in marriage laws.

Koso, of Falls City, Nebraska, and the girl had an ongoing relationship. After she became pregnant, they married in Kansas, where state law allows anyone as young as 12 to wed with parental consent. The girl's parents agreed to the marriage and she has since had the baby.

The case prompted Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to call for legislation banning marriage involving anyone younger than 16.

Koso initially pleaded not guilty, and supporters said authorities were unfairly penalizing young lovers.

But Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning, a Republican who aggressively pushed Koso's prosecution, disagreed. "This case was about a grown man having sex with a child. Mr. Koso committed a serious crime, and he must now face the consequences," he said in a statement.

Sentencing is set for February 7. Koso faces one to 50 years in prison.

Source: REUTERS

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