Prominent YouTuber Faces Kidnapping Charges

Summary

• Popular YouTuber Corey Pritchett faces aggravated kidnapping charges and is a fugitive from US justice.
• Pritchett has released a video taunting authorities and making light of the accusations.
• His potential return to the US and the case's resolution remain uncertain.

Corey Pritchett, a prominent figure in the YouTube community, is embroiled in a serious legal battle. He's been charged with two counts of aggravated kidnapping, prompting his departure from the United States shortly after the charges were filed. This unexpected turn of events has sent shockwaves through his substantial online fanbase.

Pritchett, a US-based content creator, cultivated a large following through engaging family vlogs, challenges, and pranks since launching his YouTube career in 2016. While not a top-tier YouTuber, his main channel, "CoreySSG," boasts nearly 4 million subscribers, and his secondary channel, "CoreySSG Live," has over 1 million. One particularly successful video, "LET’S HAVE A BABY PRANK," has amassed over 12 million views.

The allegations stem from a disturbing incident on November 24, 2024, in southwest Houston. According to ABC13, Pritchett allegedly met two women, aged 19 and 20, at a gym. After a day of activities including ATV riding and bowling, the situation escalated dramatically. Pritchett reportedly threatened the women at gunpoint, sped away on I-10, confiscated their phones, and reportedly told them he intended to kill them. The women later revealed to authorities that Pritchett appeared anxious, fearing he was being pursued, and had allegedly been accused of arson.

Pritchett's Flight and Mocking Video

After stopping his vehicle, Pritchett allegedly gave the women a chance to escape. They walked for over an hour before finding help and contacting the police. Charged on December 26, 2024, with two counts of aggravated kidnapping, Pritchett had already fled to Doha, Qatar, on December 9th on a one-way ticket, subsequently relocating to Dubai. From there, he posted a video mocking the warrants, claiming to be "on the run" and joking about the situation. This contrasts with the serious legal predicament faced by former YouTube streamer Johnny Somali, who is facing potential new charges in South Korea, though unrelated to Pritchett's case.

The future of this case is uncertain, with Pritchett's willingness to return to the US remaining unknown. The incident recalls the 2023 kidnapping of YouTuber YourFellowArab in Haiti, who, after a harrowing ordeal involving a Haitian gang, was eventually released and later shared his experience.