YouTuber Charged with Kidnapping

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 uncertain.

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

For those unfamiliar, Pritchett is a US-based content creator known for his engaging online presence. His YouTube career began in 2016, featuring family vlogs, challenges, and pranks. While not a top-tier YouTuber, he commands a significant audience, with his primary channel, "CoreySSG," boasting approximately 4 million subscribers and a secondary channel, "CoreySSG Live," exceeding 1 million. One popular video, "LET’S HAVE A BABY PRANK," has amassed over 12 million views.

Pritchett's legal troubles stem from an alleged kidnapping incident on November 24, 2024, in southwest Houston. According to ABC13, he met two women (ages 19 and 20) at a gym, spending the day with them in activities such as ATV riding and bowling. The situation escalated when Pritchett allegedly threatened them at gunpoint, driving recklessly on I-10, seizing their phones, and claiming he intended to kill them. The women reported Pritchett exhibited anxiety, believing he was being pursued and mentioning prior accusations of arson.

Pritchett's Flight and Mocking Video

After stopping, Pritchett allegedly instructed the women to flee, leading them to walk for over an hour before finding help. 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, and is now believed to be in Dubai. He subsequently posted a video from Dubai, downplaying the warrants and joking about being "on the run." This contrasts with the serious situation faced by another former YouTube streamer, Johnny Somali, who is facing potential new charges in South Korea.

The outcome of Pritchett's case remains unresolved. His willingness to return to the US to face the charges is unknown. It's noteworthy that in 2023, YouTuber YourFellowArab was kidnapped for ransom in Haiti, an event he later documented, highlighting the dangers faced by online personalities.