Adam Richard Jacobs, a 35-year-old former gymnastics coach from Woods Cross, Utah, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to child exploitation offenses. Jacobs admitted to transporting a minor across state lines with the intent of engaging in criminal sexual activity and using hidden cameras to produce child sexual abuse material.
The sentencing took place in Salt Lake City, where a U.S. District Court Judge also imposed a lifetime term of supervised release on Jacobs.
Court documents and statements made during plea and sentencing hearings revealed that Jacobs transported a minor from Utah to other states, including Florida and Texas, while serving as the minor’s gymnastics coach. During these trips, he installed hidden cameras in hotel rooms and bathrooms to create illegal recordings.
Further investigation found that at USA Gymnastics World—a facility where Jacobs worked—an employee discovered a hidden camera in a unisex restroom. Law enforcement recovered about 120 video files showing victims inside the restroom. Approximately 40 videos depicted Jacobs setting up cameras both at his home and at the gym.
In addition to the federal case, Jacobs faces charges brought by the State of Utah. He has entered a guilty plea in state court; sentencing is pending.
Multiple agencies were involved in investigating this case: Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Woods Cross Police Department, Utah Attorney General’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Kaysville Police Department, Clearfield Police Department, United States Secret Service, and Davis County Attorney’s Office.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Carl Hollan and Assistant United States Attorney Carol A. Dain prosecuted the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.
According to the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative—which brings together federal, state, and local resources to combat child exploitation—the effort aims to better identify perpetrators who exploit children online and help rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
