A Summit County man and former USA Climbing coach has pleaded guilty to possessing sexually explicit videos involving children, although most charges were dropped in return for the plea.
Prosecutors in May charged Matthew Maddison, 37, with 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, a second-degree felony, and three counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, a first-degree felony.
However, 12 of the 13 charges were dismissed last month after Maddison pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor. The charge carries a potential prison sentence of 1 to 15 years in addition to a $10,000 fine; Third District Judge Richard Mrazik will determine the specifics of Maddison’s punishment in a hearing next month.
Detectives had been investigating Maddison for weeks at the time of his April arrest, according to court documents.
A probable cause statement said a social media company filed a report with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in March, claiming an account on the website had uploaded and distributed sexually explicit materials involving children. The information was forwarded to the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
The task force identified Maddison as the account’s owner because of its connection to his USA Climbing email address, court records said. However, USA Climbing after the arrest said Maddison’s charges “appear to be unrelated to his coaching responsibilities.”
Law enforcement officials executed a search warrant at Maddison’s Summit County home, and Maddison reportedly admitted to owning the account, its associated email address and the explicit materials.
He also allegedly told law enforcement that he knew the files were illegal to possess.
Maddison has been held without bail in the Summit County Jail after prosecutors described him as a “flight risk.” They said Maddison is a citizen of the United Kingdom and doesn’t have solid ties to Utah. They also claimed he “presents a danger” to the Summit County community due to the nature of his charges.
“The defendant is a coach at USA Climbing, where he works with youths and has unfettered access to them as a coach and in a position of authority,” the indictment said. “Additionally, the defendant has a young child who lives in his home. The defendant has successfully surrounded himself with children who are around the same age as the children in the (explicit) files he possessed and distributed, which makes him a direct threat to all children in the community, as well as his home.”
Maddison worked as a strength and conditioning coach and speed team manager for USA Climbing, but the organization confirmed his employment was terminated shortly after the arrest.
USA Climbing also emphasized the safety of its athletes is the organization’s highest priority in a press release.
“We are fully compliant with policy and compliance requirements through the U.S. Center for SafeSport, and all (USA Climbing) employees undergo mandatory background checks,” the press release said. “We are cooperating with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation.”
Maddison is scheduled to appear in court for his sentencing hearing at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 11.