October 21, 2026 – SAN JOSE, CA – Matthew L. Madsen pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to conspiring to smuggle contraband into state prison in exchange for approximately $100,000 in payments from an inmate.

Madsen, 40, of Greenfield, CA, was charged by information on February 24, 2026.  Under the plea agreement, Madsen pleaded guilty to the sole count in the information.

In pleading guilty, Madsen admitted that he was employed by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (“CDCR”) from 2017 to 2025.  CDCR is a California State agency responsible for administering and operating the State’s prison and parole system.  Madsen was assigned to work at the Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad, California, and held several ranks including Correctional Lieutenant.  As a Correctional Lieutenant, Madsen often served as a supervisor for a whole “yard” of the prison – including approximately 1,000 inmates and 200 staff.  CDCR employees are prohibited from bringing contraband, such as wireless communication devices and tobacco products, into state prisons.  As Madsen admitted, wireless communication devices are particularly pernicious in prison because inmates can use them to coordinate violent attacks and the smuggling and trafficking of contraband. Nevertheless, from January 2023 through February 2025, Madsen worked with others, including at least one inmate and one individual outside the prison, to smuggle contraband into the prison in exchange for money.  In total, Madsen received more than $95,000 for participating in the scheme, including cash payments and wire transfers.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian, and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Scott Schelbe made the announcement.

Madsen’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 9, 2027, at 1:30 P.M. before U.S. District Judge Noël Wise.  Madsen faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for the count of honest services fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343, 1346, and 1349.  Any sentence will be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael G. Pitman is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Sahib Kaur.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Source: DOJ Release