USA Climbing Coach Arrested for Sharing Child Sexual Abuse Videos Online
At 8 p.m. on April 28, Utah police arrested Matthew Maddison, the USA Climbing Speed team manager, for uploading and distributing videos of child sexual abuse online. The 37-year-old is being held without bail at Summit County Jail, near Salt Lake City. He currently awaits trial for 10 counts of child sexual exploitation.
USA Climbing confirmed in an email sent on April 28 that it has placed Maddison on unpaid administrative leave. “At USAC, the safety of our athletes is the highest priority,” the email stated. “We are cooperating with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation.”
A disturbing arrest
According to a police affidavit obtained by Climbing, Matthew Maddison was identified by the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force as the owner of a social media account that had distributed over 30 files containing child sexual abuse material. The social media company, which the affidavit does not name, filed a CyberTipline report with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on March 16, 2025. It took several search warrants and court orders for the Utah ICAC Task Force to track down Maddison.
At his residence, the arresting officers found what they described as “a large amount” of child sexual abuse material on Maddison’s electronic devices, including videos involving the rape of five- to seven-year-old children. The officers also claimed that Maddison admitted, post-Miranda warning, to owning the involved social media account and its associated email address.
In Utah, the sexual exploitation of a minor is a second-degree felony defined as knowingly possessing, viewing, or accessing child sexual abuse material. Every file, and each child involved, is considered a separate felony. Each felony can carry a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
On April 29, a judge granted prosecutors’ request that Maddison, who is British and does not hold U.S. citizenship, be held without bail until trial.
Matthew Maddison’s three-year history with USA Climbing
Since March 2023, Maddison has worked as a coach for USA Climbing, where he held the joint titles of Speed team manager and strength and conditioning coach. At the organization, he oversaw physical and mental training for the Speed athletes. He also planned their travel and accompanied them to domestic and international competitions, including the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. He also coached Olympic Speed climbers Emma Hunt and Piper Kelly.
Maddison (second photo in carousel, third from the right) posed with Samuel Watson and other USA Speed Climbing team members on October 22, 2023, right after Watson qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In its April 29 email, USA Climbing stated that “while the charges appear to be unrelated to his coaching responsibilities, we are deeply disturbed by the allegations.”
The organization affirmed their full compliance with all U.S. Center for SafeSport requirements. In addition, it stated that all of their employees undergo mandatory background checks.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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