Former snowboard cross competitor pleads guilty to felony charge in plea agreement
Trevor Jacob, a former world-renowned snowboard cross competitor and YouTube personality, has admitted to intentionally crashing a plane for “likes and views” as part of a product sponsorship deal. Jacob, known for his extreme sports content, initially uploaded a video titled ‘I Crashed My Airplane’ in December 2021, which garnered millions of views. He pleaded guilty to one felony count of destruction and concealment with the intent to obstruct a federal investigation as part of a plea agreement.
Jacob’s video suggested that the plane crash was accidental, portraying his escape using a parachute and documenting the alleged engine failure over mountains. However, suspicions arose among viewers due to the lack of an attempt to safely land the aircraft. As part of the plea agreement, Jacob admitted to crashing the plane intentionally for publicity and financial gain.
Prosecutors stated in a sentencing memorandum that Jacob likely committed the offense to generate social media coverage and obtain financial benefits. The prosecutors emphasized that such “daredevil” conduct cannot be tolerated. Jacob pleaded guilty to intentionally ejecting from the aircraft during the flight, recording himself parachuting, and capturing the plane’s descent and crash.
The press release revealed that Jacob lied to investigators about not knowing the wreckage’s location and later visited the crash site with a helicopter. He took straps to secure the wreckage, which was transported back to the airport. Jacob, in a statement released by the US Justice Department in May 2023, agreed to plead guilty to one felony count of destruction and concealment.
In December 2023, a US district judge sentenced Jacob to six months in jail, with a scheduled start date of January 29, 2024. Ahead of his prison term, Jacob expressed surprise at the legal consequences and shared his remorse on Good Morning America. He emphasized taking full responsibility for his actions and urged the public, especially children, to avoid engaging in dangerous stunts for online attention.
