Former gymnastics coach pleads guilty to new charges involving cameras, bathrooms
Feb 6, 2025, 5:27 PM
FILE: A United States District Court emblem is seen in a courtroom in the Salt Lake City Federal Courthouse, Wednesday, April 9, 2014. (Ravell Call, Deseret News)
(Ravell Call, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY —— A Utah gymnastics coach and owner of USA Gymnastics World pleaded guilty to new federal charges in court on Thursday.
Adam Richard Jacobs, 34, of Woods Cross, Utah, admits to putting a camera in a minor’s hotel room and bathroom, according to court documents.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, during a previous change of plea hearing, Jacobs admitted to knowingly taking a minor to other states and that he intended to engage the minor in sexual activity on those trips.
Jacobs reportedly took the minor to states that include Florida and Texas. During this time, Jacobs was the child’s gymnastics coach.
On these trips, Jacobs reportedly put a hidden camera in the minor’s hotel room and bathroom with the intent to produce sexual abuse materials.
Original accusations against gymnastics coach
Jacobs was accused in April, 2023, of planting a camera in a unisex restroom of USA Gymnastics World in Woods Cross.
An employee reportedly found the camera, which was later found to hold a micro-SD card.
Law enforcement later found around 120 video files of children and adults using the bathroom. The micro-SD card also contained 40 videos showing Jacobs setting up the cameras at USA Gymnastics as well as at his home.
After the plea deal, Jacobs, who was facing three counts, is now facing one count.
Jacobs’s sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 14 at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in Salt Lake City.
