Prominent YouTuber Faces Kidnapping Charges

Summary

• Popular YouTuber Corey Pritchett is charged with aggravated kidnapping and has left the US.
• Pritchett posted a video from abroad, making light of the charges and his flight.
• His return to the US and the case's resolution are currently unknown.

YouTube personality Corey Pritchett faces serious accusations: two counts of aggravated kidnapping. He reportedly left the country shortly after the charges were filed, surprising his substantial online following.

Pritchett, a US-based content creator, gained recognition for his relatable vlogs, challenges, and pranks since starting his YouTube career in 2016. While not a top-tier YouTuber, his "CoreySSG" channel boasts nearly 4 million subscribers, and his "CoreySSG Live" channel exceeds 1 million. A popular video, "LET’S HAVE A BABY PRANK," has amassed over 12 million views.

The alleged kidnapping incident occurred on November 24, 2024, in southwest Houston, adding to a concerning trend of kidnapping cases involving online personalities. According to ABC13, two women (ages 19 and 20) met Pritchett at a gym, spending the day with him in activities such as ATV riding and bowling. The situation escalated when Pritchett allegedly threatened them at gunpoint, driving recklessly on I-10, confiscating their phones, and threatening to kill them. The women reported Pritchett appeared anxious, believing someone was pursuing him, and mentioned previous accusations of arson.

Pritchett's Flight and Mocking Video

After stopping his vehicle, Pritchett allegedly allowed the women to escape. Charged on December 26, 2024, with two counts of aggravated kidnapping, he had already fled to Doha, Qatar, on December 9th on a one-way ticket, and is now believed to be in Dubai. A video surfaced showing Pritchett mocking the warrants, claiming to be “on the run” and joking about the situation. This contrasts with the serious nature of the allegations, and the unrelated case of former YouTuber Johnny Somali facing potential jail time in South Korea.

The outcome of Pritchett's case remains uncertain, with his potential return to the US unknown. The incident recalls the 2023 kidnapping of YouTuber YourFellowArab in Haiti, who was eventually released after a harrowing ordeal with a Haitian gang, later sharing footage of his experience.