A former California prison lieutenant pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to accepting more than $95,000 to help smuggle contraband into Salinas Valley State Prison, federal prosecutors said.
Matthew L. Madsen, 40, of Greenfield, admitted that he worked with others, including at least one inmate and someone outside the prison, to bring contraband into the Soledad facility from January 2023 through February 2025. He received cash and wire transfers in exchange, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Madsen worked for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from 2017 to 2025. As a lieutenant, he sometimes supervised an entire prison yard, which could include about 1,000 inmates and 200 staff members, prosecutors said.
The plea agreement says Madsen pleaded guilty to one count of honest services fraud conspiracy. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. His sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 9 before U.S. District Judge Noël Wise.
The FBI and the state corrections department investigated the case.
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This article originally published at Ex-lieutenant pleads guilty to smuggling contraband into California prison.