Convicted:
2007, 
LDS positions: Tabernacle Choir, - During crime: Tabernacle Choir,
- LDS mission:
no
- Alleged:
4 victims, Multiple victims,
Criminal case(s): Convicted, Plea deal, Pleaded guilty, Unknown result, 
updated Sep 29, 2025 - request update | add info
Crime: 
Crime state:
LDS positions: 
Alleged:
Criminal case(s): 
08/28/07 Orem, UT
LDS Robert Matthews a member of the Tabernacle Choir was arrested and “charged with
four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and lewdness involving a child.” The boys
ages were 7 to 15 years. They were abused at camp. Mathews pled guilty to possession
of child pornography also and thus” the state charges were dismissed in lieu of a Federal
case.”
Ex-member of LDS choir pleads guilty in porn case By Geoffrey Fattah, Deseret News
Published: Tuesday, Aug. 28 2007
Have any info on this or other Mormon sex abuse cases? Contact us.
As an independent newsroom, FLOODLIT relies on your generous support to make thousands of reports of sexual abuse in the Mormon church available. If you find our work helpful, please consider donating! Thank you so much for helping us shine a light.
Sources
-
1. Ex-member of LDS choir pleads guilty in porn case
A former member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir faces up to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty Monday to a charge of possessing child pornography.
Robert Matthews, 52, of Orem, appeared in U.S. District Court to admit he possessed images of child pornography that were sent over the Internet. His plea comes as part of a plea bargain struck with federal prosecutors.
Prosecutors say they will recommend the lower end of the federal sentencing guidelines for Matthews' acceptance of responsibility in the case. Sentencing is set for Oct. 9.
Matthews was indicted by a federal grand jury in October of last year. Charges were also filed in state court on four felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and three counts of lewdness involving a child, a misdemeanor. The state charges were dismissed in lieu of the federal case.
According to police, Matthews was arrested Sept. 28, 2006, after they received evidence that he swam naked with four young boys during a trip to Diamond Fork Hot Springs in July of that year. While on the trip, Matthews took pictures of the nude swim and later processed the images on his computer.
Matthews had joined the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in January 2006 but was released after The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints learned of his arrest, according to a church official.
When sentenced, Matthews also faces being placed on federal supervised release for the rest of his life.
Documents
Have docs or info? Add information
Criminal case documents
Floodlit does not have information regarding whether a related probable cause affidavit exists. Please check back soon or contact us to request that we look for one.Civil case documents
Floodlit does not have information regarding whether a related civil complaint exists. Please check back soon or contact us to request that we look for one.Other documents
Floodlit does not have information regarding whether other related documents exist. Please check back soon or contact us to request that we look for some.Videos
- Video title: Mormon Tabernacle Choir Member, Robert Matthews Arrested
- Video description: 2007-02-11
Add information
If someone you know was harmed by the person listed on this page, or if you would like us to add or correct any information, please fill out the form below. We will keep you anonymous. You can also contact us directly.
Other Mormon sex abuse cases
-
- David Moss (1967 – ) was an LDS bishop (2015-19) and police officer in Lehi, Utah; arrested in 2019 for soliciting an undercover cop for sex; pleaded guilty in 2019 to a 3rd degree felony charge of exploiting a prostitute and a misdemeanor charge of patronizing a prostitute; sentenced to prison, but both terms were suspended
- View report »
-
-
- Lon Kennard (1941 – 2019) was a former Mormon bishop in Heber City, Utah; in 2011, pleaded guilty to three felony counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child; sentenced in 2011 to three consecutive terms of five years to life in the Utah State Prison
- View report »
-
-
- Douglas Stoddard (1949 – ) was an LDS bishop in Hurst, Texas; convicted in 1992 of a felony child sexual abuse charge of indecency with a child by contact; sentenced to 8 years of probation; a lifetime registered sex offender in Texas; named publicly in August 2023 by a victim who said Stoddard molested him and three other boys in his Mormon ward while serving as bishop
- View report »
-
