Head coach of Pocatello MMA team arrested for alleged sexual conduct with minor in 2020
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IDAHO FALLS – A Pocatello man was arrested for the alleged sexual abuse of a minor at a group home in 2020.
Maxie Riddle, 37, was charged with two counts of felony lewd conduct with a child under 16.
According to its website, Riddle was the founder and head coach for Team Phantom at Phantom MMA & Fitness in Pocatello.
EastIdahoNews.com contacted Phantom MMA & Fitness, who said Riddle is “not currently” employed there.
We also contacted IFPD to ask why the arrest comes four years after the initial report.
According to IFPD spokesperson Jessica Clements, “This investigation was initially reported to IFPD in 2020, and an initial investigation was started at that time. The case was reassigned to a new detective in March of this year, and the current detective was able to move the case forward to this point where the arrest was made.”
Court documents say on June 29, 2020, staff members at a group home in Idaho Falls filed a police report about possible sexual abuse of a 14-year-old resident by former staff member, Riddle.
According to the report, the abuse occurred on or about April 25 through April 29, 2020.
The case was reassigned to an Idaho Falls Police officer on March 26, 2024, for further investigation. When the officer spoke to the victim, she detailed multiple instances of alleged sexual abuse by Riddle.
Police reports say on April 25, 2020, Riddle drove the victim to a dentist appointment. On the way back, Riddle messaged a coworker that he was “having car trouble and had to stop at a car wash.”
According to the victim, Riddle drove to the car wash and coerced the victim to touch him inappropriately.
On another occasion, Riddle reportedly entered the victim’s bedroom, which she shared with other residents, and sexually assaulted her. Another resident who slept in the room told police she remembered “waking up and seeing (Riddle) sitting on the victim’s bed.”
A third resident told police they saw Riddle go into the victim’s room and close the door.
The victim disclosed to police that Riddle would sexually assault her on the group home’s bus when they were left alone.
Another incident allegedly occurred in the downstairs bathroom, after Riddle told the victim to clean it.
When the victim went downstairs to start cleaning, Riddle was already in the bathroom and reportedly sexually assaulted her again.
The victim says a fifth incident happened in a medical room at the group home. According to court documents, Riddle was “one of the only staff that was med-certified” and was giving her medication when he exposed himself to her.
Staff members say a supervisor confronted Riddle about the alleged abuse. He reportedly said he “didn’t see what the issue was.” The supervisor responded, “She’s a child.”
Other residents in the group home reportedly told police Riddle would give the victim “special and preferential treatment.”
Residents say as they became aware of the situation with the victim, Riddle began extending the special treatment to them too, such as “purchasing them items including a VAPE and a hoodie.”
One resident told police that Riddle had repeatedly told her that “she better not tell anyone.”
When police contacted Riddle, they asked to speak with him “about his experience working in the group home.” Riddle reportedly asked if he was under investigation, denied any wrong doing and stated he wanted to consult with a lawyer.
A warrant was issued for Riddle’s arrest on April 10, and he was booked into the Bonneville County Jail on Tuesday. His bail was set to $75,000.
A no-contact order was issued for the victim, and Riddle is expected to appear for a preliminary hearing on April 30. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison.
Though Riddle has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.