Controversial confession of a YouTuber: I crashed a plane to attract viewers and make money
A YouTuber who posted a video of a plane flying and crashing in November 2021 has now pleaded guilty to obstructing a federal investigation into the crash. “Torre Jacob” has also admitted that he deliberately caused the plane crash to increase the viewership and earn sponsorship money.
According to the US Department of Justice, a 29-year-old YouTuber who posted a video of a small plane flying and crashing in 2021, may now be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison on charges of tampering with the crash scene and obstructing federal investigations. He pleaded guilty and claimed that his goal was to make more money through this planned scenario.
Before the start of the flight, Jacob installed cameras on the plane and took a monopod and parachutes with him. About a minute and a half into the video, the plane’s engines shut down and he apparently says the plane lost an engine. As a result, he leaves the cabin and lands with parachutes. The video below, which currently has more than 3.6 million views, also shows scenes of the plane crash.
Deception of federal institutions in the matter of the plane crash
Later, Jacob goes to the crash site to collect his cameras. But the problem does not end there. Two days later, he reports the crash of his plane to the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) but claims in this report that the crash was accidental. The NTSB tells Jacob he is responsible for preserving the wreckage for further investigation.
However, he returns to the crash site by helicopter and takes the wreckage to a local airport. There, the plane is dismembered and thrown into different trash cans. At the same time, in response to questions from government investigators, he falsely tells them that he does not know the state of the plane’s remains.
Although the crime of deliberately destroying and concealing evidence in the US federal investigation is accompanied by heavy penalties and can lead to up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, considering Jacob’s confession, it is expected that he will face a lighter sentence from the court.
