Manhattan man found guilty of child sex crime

Joseph Marlow acquitted of three other charges related to a 5-year-old victim

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Joseph Marlow, 26, of Manhattan, Kansas, was found guilty by a jury on Friday of one count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child under 14 years old. He was acquitted of a second count of the same charge as well as two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy of a child under 14 years old.

Why it matters

Child sex crimes are a serious issue that can have long-lasting impacts on victims. This case highlights the complex nature of these types of cases, where a defendant can be found guilty on some charges but acquitted on others based on the evidence presented.

The details

The victim was a 5-year-old girl that Marlow knew. Last March, he was in the same bed as the girl when he touched her buttocks underneath her clothing.

  • Marlow was found guilty on Friday, February 21, 2026.
  • The alleged incident occurred in March of the previous year.

The players

Joseph Marlow

A 26-year-old man from Manhattan, Kansas who was found guilty of one count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child under 14 years old.

Riley County District Court

The court where Marlow was tried and found guilty of one charge.

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What’s next

The judge will determine Marlow's sentence for the guilty charge at a later date.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of thorough investigations and fair trials in child sex crime cases, where the rights of both the victim and the accused must be carefully balanced.