Teen Sentenced as Sex Offender in Consensual Act With Girlfriend

A teenager labeled a sexual offender for having sex with his 15-year-old girlfriend was sentenced Tuesday to two years’ probation, a day before she was due to deliver their child. More than 20 people supporting the defendant then booed the prosecutor outside court.

Kevin Gillson had faced up to 40 years in prison for sexual assault of a child, even though his girlfriend testified that the sex was consensual, and he wanted to marry his girlfriend, get a job and raise the child.

Wisconsin law says no one under age 16 can consent to a sexual relationship. Gillson was 18 at the time and the girl was 15. Both have since had birthdays.

Gillson and his girlfriend attended marriage counseling, and Gillson quit school to take a job with benefits so his family wouldn’t start out on welfare, said his minister.

Dist. Atty. Sandy Williams had said she was unconvinced of Gillson’s “willingness to take full responsibility,” but she didn’t recommend prison and said the girlfriend and her mother had asked that Gillson not be imprisoned.

Gillson’s attorney, Doug Stansbury, said he would probably appeal and would seek a pardon from Gov. Tommy G. Thompson.

Without a pardon, or unless the state’s sexual assault laws are changed retroactively, Gillson will have to register with local police as a sex offender.

Judge Tom R. Wolfgram lifted an order that Gillson not see his girlfriend. Her identity was not released.

Gillson said after sentencing that he didn’t know if she still wants to marry him.