YouTuber Admits Crashing Plane Into California Mountain For Views To Lock “Sponsorship Deal”

Society needs to have a national discussion regarding the lengths social media influencers go to produce outrageous and dangerous content in pursuit of more views and sponsorship deals.

The story of Olympic snowboarder turned YouTube influencer Trevor Jacob is a prime example of the ridiculousness on social media. He admitted to federal prosecutors that he deliberately crashed his small plane into a mountain in Southern California to boost views for a sponsorship deal.

Jacob pleaded guilty to one count of destruction and concealment with the intent to obstruct an investigation, the US Attorney’s office for Central California wrote in a press release. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years behind bars.

According to his plea agreement, Jacob is an experienced pilot and skydiver who had secured a sponsorship from a company that sold various products, including a wallet. Pursuant to the sponsorship deal, Jacob agreed to promote the company’s wallet in a YouTube video that he would post. – federal prosecutors

Jacob admitted in his plea agreement that he intended to make money through the video.