Prominent YouTuber Faces Kidnapping Charges

Summary

• Popular YouTuber Corey Pritchett is charged with two counts of aggravated kidnapping and is a fugitive from US justice.
• Pritchett, currently believed to be in Dubai, posted a video taunting authorities and the allegations.
• His return to the US and the ultimate resolution of the case remain unknown.

Corey Pritchett, a prominent US-based YouTube content creator, is facing serious legal trouble. He's been charged with two counts of aggravated kidnapping following an incident on November 24, 2024, in southwest Houston. The allegations, which have shocked his substantial online following, detail a disturbing account involving two young women.

Pritchett, known for his family vlogs, challenges, and pranks on his channels "CoreySSG" (approximately 4 million subscribers) and "CoreySSG Live" (over 1 million subscribers), allegedly met the 19 and 20-year-old victims at a gym. After a day of activities including ATV riding and bowling, the situation escalated dramatically. According to reports by ABC13, Pritchett allegedly threatened the women at gunpoint, sped away on I-10, confiscated their phones, and reportedly told them he intended to kill them. The women eventually escaped and contacted authorities, alleging Pritchett displayed anxiety and paranoia, believing someone was pursuing him. He also reportedly confessed to being accused of arson.

Pritchett's Flight and Mocking Video

Following the incident, Pritchett was charged on December 26, 2024, but he had already left the country. He reportedly flew to Doha, Qatar, on December 9th on a one-way ticket and is now believed to be in Dubai. Adding insult to injury, he subsequently posted a video online mocking the warrants and boasting about being "on the run." This contrasts sharply with the serious nature of the charges against him. The case bears a tangential resemblance to the legal troubles faced by former YouTube streamer Johnny Somali, who is facing potential new charges in South Korea, although their situations are unrelated.

The outcome of Pritchett's case remains uncertain. His willingness to return to the US to face the charges is unknown. The incident highlights the risks faced by online personalities, recalling the 2023 kidnapping of YouTuber YourFellowArab in Haiti, who was eventually released after a harrowing ordeal. YourFellowArab subsequently shared his experience, providing a stark reminder of the dangers some content creators face.