YouTube creator Trevor Jacob was sentenced to six months in prison for obstructing an investigation into a plane he intentionally crashed “to gain online views,” prosecutors said.
Trevor Jacob, a YouTube creator and former Olympic snowboarding athlete, was sentenced to six months in federal prison for “obstructing a federal investigation” by “deliberately destroying the wreckage of an airplane that he intentionally crashed in Santa Barbara County to gain online views,” prosecutors said.
Jacob, 30, of Lompoc, Calif., had pleaded guilty on June 30 to one count of destruction and concealment with the intent to obstruct a federal investigation. He was sentenced Monday. According to prosecutors, Jacob — an “experienced pilot” and skydiver — had secured a sponsorship from a company that sold various products, including a wallet. Jacob had agreed to promote the company’s wallet in a YouTube video that he would post, authorities said.
On Nov. 24, 2021, Jacob took off in his airplane from Lompoc City Airport on a solo flight purportedly destined for Mammoth Lakes, Calif. “Jacob did not intend to reach his destination, but instead planned to eject from his aircraft during the flight and video himself parachuting to the ground and his airplane as it descended and crashed,” prosecutors said. Prior to taking off, Jacob mounted several video cameras on different parts of the airplane and equipped himself with a parachute, video camera and selfie stick.
