Lompoc man sentenced for obstructing justice in connection with mid-air stunt posted to YouTube
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Trevor Jacob of Lompoc, who admitted to crashing his plane for views on YouTube, was sentenced for intentionally obstructing a federal investigation into his stunt on Monday.
On Jun. 30, 2023, Jacob pled guilty to one count of destruction and concealment with the intent to obstruct a federal investigation which carried up to a 20-year sentence detail the U.S. Attorney's Office.
“It appears that [Jacob] exercised exceptionally poor judgment in committing this offense,” stated prosecutors in a sentencing memorandum. “[Jacob] most likely committed this offense to generate social media and news coverage for himself and to obtain financial gain. Nevertheless, this type of ‘daredevil’ conduct cannot be tolerated.”
Jacob, a former Olympic athlete and experienced pilot, created the scheme and posted the video as part of a sponsorship opportunity which he detailed in a plea agreement after agreeing to admit guilt explained the U.S. Attorney's Office.
A series of cameras installed on the aircraft and a selfie stick carried by Jacob captured the dramatic mid-air abandonment of the plane which crashed in the Los Padres National Forest detail the U.S. Attorney's Office.
