Former Cop Indicted for Alleged Lewd Conduct with Child

Nez Perce County grand jury charges 48-year-old Matthew K. Hosking with felony count of lewd conduct with a minor

Published on Mar. 12, 2026

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A 48-year-old former law enforcement officer has been indicted by a grand jury in Nez Perce County, Idaho on one felony count of lewd conduct with a child under sixteen. The alleged offense occurred between April and May 2013 and involved a 5-year-old victim. Prosecutors say eight other alleged victims have come forward during the investigation, but only this one charge has been filed so far.

Why it matters

The case highlights the serious nature of allegations of child sexual abuse, especially when they involve someone with a law enforcement background. It also raises questions about the statute of limitations and why it took over a decade for charges to be filed in this case.

The details

According to the indictment, Matthew K. Hosking is accused of having manual-to-genital and/or oral-to-genital contact with a 5-year-old child in 2013. Hosking was arrested on February 18, 2026 in Lewiston, Idaho and made his initial court appearance the following day. Prosecutors asked for $1 million bail, citing the seriousness of the charge and concerns Hosking could flee the country, but the judge set bond at $500,000, which Hosking has since posted to be released.

  • The alleged offense occurred between April 1 and May 31, 2013.
  • Hosking was arrested on February 18, 2026.
  • The alleged victim reported the accusations to law enforcement on December 11, 2025.

The players

Matthew K. Hosking

A 48-year-old former law enforcement officer who has been indicted by a grand jury on one felony count of lewd conduct with a child under sixteen.

Nez Perce County

The county in Idaho where the grand jury indictment was issued against Hosking.

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What they’re saying

“We must take all allegations of child sexual abuse extremely seriously, especially when they involve someone with a law enforcement background.”

— Karin Seubert, Judge

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Matthew K. Hosking to remain out on bail during the trial proceedings.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for thorough investigations into historical allegations of child sexual abuse, even if they occurred over a decade ago. It also raises concerns about the potential for abuse of power by those in positions of authority.