Adam Richard Jacobs, a 35-year-old gymnastics coach from Woods Cross, Utah, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for child exploitation offenses. Jacobs admitted to using a hidden camera to create child sexual abuse material and pleaded guilty in February 2025 to transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
The sentencing took place in Salt Lake City, where a U.S. District Court Judge also ordered Jacobs to serve a lifetime of supervised release following his imprisonment.
Court documents revealed that Jacobs transported a minor across state lines, including trips from Utah to Florida and Texas, as part of his coaching activities. During these trips, he placed hidden cameras in hotel rooms and bathrooms used by the minor to produce illicit materials.
Further investigation began after an employee at USA Gymnastics World discovered a hidden camera in a unisex restroom at the facility on two separate occasions and notified authorities. Law enforcement recovered about 120 video files showing victims in the restroom. Approximately 40 of these videos depicted Jacobs setting up cameras both at his home and at USA Gymnastics World.
Jacobs also faces charges at the state level in Utah. He has entered a guilty plea there as well, with sentencing still pending.
Multiple agencies participated in the investigation, including 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.
The prosecution was conducted under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation through coordination among federal, state, and local agencies. More information about Project Safe Childhood is available at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
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