UPDATE: USA Climbing coach placed on leave after Summit County arrest on child exploitation charges

A Summit County resident was arrested Tuesday for multiple accounts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Photo:

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — A Summit County resident and USA Climbing coach, Matthew Maddison, 37, was arrested Tuesday and booked into the Summit County Jail on 10 counts of second-degree felony sexual exploitation of a minor.

Following the arrest, USA Climbing confirmed the Maddison’s role within the organization and announced immediate action.

“Earlier today, we were made aware of the arrest of Matthew Maddison, Strength and Conditioning Coach / Speed Team Manager, for alleged online crimes involving minors,” the organization said in a statement. “While the charges appear to be unrelated to his coaching responsibilities, we are deeply disturbed by the allegations. Upon learning of this information, we immediately placed Mr. Maddison on unpaid administrative leave, pending resolution of this matter.”

USA Climbing added that “the safety of our athletes is our highest priority,” noting it is compliant with policies and requirements through the U.S. Center for SafeSport and that all employees undergo mandatory background checks. The organization said it is cooperating with law enforcement and declined further comment.

The investigation into Maddison began in March 2025, when a social media company submitted a report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding an account that had “uploaded and distributed suspected child sexual abuse material (CSAM),” according to the affidavit of probable cause.

Subsequently, an IP address and email associated with the account were captured and forwarded to the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

“Pursuant to several search warrants and court orders, the owner of the reported account was identified as Matthew Maddison, residing in the Summit County area,” the affidavit states. Investigators also noted that the suspected CSAM files “were confirmed by ICAC investigators.”

On April 28, the ICAC Task Force executed a search warrant at Maddison’s residence.

“Post Miranda Warning, Matthew admitted to owning the reported social media account along with the associated email address,” the affidavit states.

According to the document, “in the messages Matthew had with other users on social media, he discussed being aroused by prepubescent children and abusing them.” The affidavit also states that he “admitted he knew it was illegal to possess and distribute CSAM.”

Investigators reported that electronic devices examined at the scene contained “a large amount of CSAM.” The affidavit further alleges that “Matthew distributed over 30 files of CSAM on the social media site.”

The document states that the alleged activity dates back to at least July 2024.

As part of the investigation, authorities also raised concerns about the suspect’s employment, which has been confirmed to be as a coach for USA Climbing. According to the affidavit, “as part of Matthew’s employment, he works directly with youth, in a position of trust, some of which are the same age as the children in the CSAM files he distributed.”

The affidavit further notes that his work requires travel “throughout the country and internationally” and that he “is not a citizen of the United States and does not have extended family in Utah.”

Prosecutors state in the filing that this is a felony charge with substantial evidence to support it. They requested no bail be set, citing “clear and convincing evidence” that the individual “would constitute a substantial danger to any other individual or to the community, or is likely to flee the jurisdiction of the court if released on bail.”

The case remains under investigation.