was a Mormon church member and singer in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir; arrested in 2006, after police received evidence that he swam naked with four young boys during a trip in July 2006; he took pictures of the nude swim and later processed the images on his computer; charged with four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and lewdness involving a child; convicted

Case report

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

Case facts

Case videos

    • Video title: Mormon Tabernacle Choir Member, Robert Matthews Arrested
    • Video description: 2007-02-11

Case information sources

  1. Ex-member of LDS choir pleads guilty in porn case
    view source details | 27 Aug 2007 | Deseret News

Case information source details

  • Ex-member of LDS choir pleads guilty in porn case
    Publisher: Deseret News
    Date: 27 Aug 2007
    Archive.org
    Source type: News article

    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.

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