SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Aug. 15, 2025 (Gephardt Daily) — A former Utah gymnastics coach has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after admitting to transporting a minor across state lines and using a hidden camera to produce child sexual abuse material.
Adam Richard Jacobs, 35, of Woods Cross, pleaded guilty in February to transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. A U.S. District Court judge sentenced Jacobs to 120 months’ imprisonment and a lifetime term of supervised release, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.
Court documents reveal Jacobs transported a minor from Utah to other states, including Florida and Texas, between an unknown date and March 2023. During that time, Jacobs used a hidden camera in hotel rooms and bathrooms to record child sexual abuse material.
Authorities began investigating Jacobs after a hidden camera was discovered in a unisex restroom at USA Gymnastics World, where charging documents indicate Jacob was an owner. A total of 120 video files were recovered during the investigation, approximately 40 of which depicted Jacobs setting up cameras in his home and at the gymnastics facility.
Jacobs still faces sentencing after having pleaded guilty earlier to charges filed in the state’s case against him in 2023.
The cases, both state and federal, were investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Woods Cross Police Department, Utah Attorney General’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Kaysville Police Department, Clearfield Police Department, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Davis County Attorney’s Office.
The news release says the prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation.
Prosecution was handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Hollan and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol A. Dain.
