Trina A. Higgins, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Utah
A Utah gymnastics coach has admitted to charges related to the transportation of a minor for criminal sexual activity. Adam Richard Jacobs, 34, owner of USA Gymnastics World, entered a guilty plea concerning these allegations.
Jacobs was initially charged in April 2023. Court documents reveal that he transported a minor from Utah to other states such as Florida and Texas while serving as their gymnastics coach. During this period, he installed a hidden camera in the minor's hotel room and bathroom to produce child sexual abuse materials. He confessed that all electronic devices seized in March 2023 were used for creating such materials.
The investigation began when an employee at USA Gymnastics World found a hidden camera twice in the facility's unisex restroom and informed the police. Authorities recovered about 120 video files showing victims in the restroom, with around 40 videos capturing Jacobs setting up cameras both at his home and at USA Gymnastics World.
Jacobs is set to be sentenced on August 14, 2025, before a U.S. District Court Judge in Salt Lake City.
The announcement came from U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins of the District of Utah. The case involves multiple agencies including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Woods Cross Police Department, and others.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Carl Hollan and Assistant United States Attorney Carol Dain are handling prosecution duties.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse since May 2006.
