A former Salinas Valley State Prison correctional employee pled guilty to smuggling contraband to a prisoner in exchange for nearly $100,000 on Oct. 20.
Matthew Madsen, a 40-year-old resident of Greenfield, worked for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation at Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad from 2017 to 2025, where he was a correctional lieutenant supervising about 1,000 inmates and 200 staff members.
There, he reportedly smuggled in contraband, such as cell phones, to an inmate only identified in court documents as “Individual One.” In exchange, Madsen collected money in cash payments and wire transfers from the inmate through Individual One's spouse, identified as “Individual Two” and three other people, court documents alleged.
He could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. His sentencing hearing is Feb. 9, 2027.
Madsen's phone records showed 177 phone calls and 1,208 text messages between his phone and the phone of the spouse, Individual Two, from February 21, 2023 and April 19, 2025, according to court records.
Both CDCR and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated Madsen. In a February 2025 interview with federal agents, Madsen admitted he smuggled in telephones and tobacco into the prison at Individual One's request in exchange for money.
He was relieved of active duty that month, then terminated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in October 2025. The federal criminal complaint was filed against him Feb. 3, 2026.
Madsen also faces charges in Monterey County Superior Court for possession of four different assault weapons and failing to have a serial number on a gun. A county prosecutor said that authorities learned of the crimes as a result of the federal investigation.
He pleaded not guilty, and the next hearing in that case is scheduled for Oct. 27.
Madsen’s attorney Brian Worthington did not respond as of press time.