Duluth climbing coach sentenced for child pornography possession

A Duluth climbing coach has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison for posession of child pornography.

45-year-old Lucas Matthew Kramer is also ordered to pay restitution to his victims and a $7,500 assessment pursuant to the “Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornorgraphy Assistance Act of 2018.”

According to court documents, law enforcement received a tip in September of 2022 that someone online had used the Kik messenger app to upload 19 pornorgraphic videos to the internet. Less than a week later, law enforcement says five more images were uploaded by the same person. It was quickly determined that the content was uploaded from Duluth.

Law enforcement linked the email and IP address directly to Kramer, a longtime collegiate climbing coach with ties to UMD and the Duluth Climbers Coalition.

While executing a search warrant, law enforcement discovered over 600 images and videos of child sexual abuse material on numerous devices, referring to it as a “collection.” Sexually explicit chats between Kramer and minors were also discovered. Kramer admitted to law enforcement that he downloaded and traded his “collection” with others on the internet.

In October of 2024, Kramer pleaded guilty to one count of posession of child pornography.

When handing down the sentence on Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge Eric C. Tostrud called Kramer’s conduct “deeply troubling.”

“Few crimes are as heinous as the sexual exploitation of minors,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Kirkpatrick. “My office will continue to prioritize charging predators who hold positions of trust in our community. Coaches, daycare providers, and others in positions of trust who prey on children will face federal justice.”

“The sentencing of Lucas Mathew Kramer concludes a successful investigation focused on those who seek to exploit our children. HSI will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who target our young people,” said ICE HSI Saint Paul Special Agent in Charge Jamie Holt. “We appreciate the collaboration with our law enforcement partners and stand by our commitment to protecting our communities and securing our homeland.”

This case is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Duluth Police Department. “The Duluth Police Department appreciates its partnership with Homeland Security Investigations in holding this offender accountable to the highest standards,” commented Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa.