YouTube Star Accused of 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 potential return to the US and the case's resolution are currently unknown.

Corey Pritchett, a well-known YouTube personality, is facing serious accusations: two counts of aggravated kidnapping. Authorities state that he departed the country shortly after the charges were filed, a surprising turn of events for his substantial online following.

Pritchett, a US-based content creator, gained recognition for his relatable vlogs, challenges, and pranks. While not a top-tier YouTuber, his "CoreySSG" channel boasts approximately 4 million subscribers, and his second channel, "CoreySSG Live," has over 1 million. One particularly popular video, "LET’S HAVE A BABY PRANK," has accumulated 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, Pritchett allegedly threatened two women (ages 19 and 20) at gunpoint after a day of activities, including ATV riding and bowling. He reportedly drove them at high speed on I-10, confiscated their phones, and threatened to kill them, expressing paranoia about being pursued and mentioning prior 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, Pritchett had already fled to Doha, Qatar, on December 9th on a one-way ticket, and is now reportedly in Dubai. He subsequently posted a video online, mocking the warrants and his situation, describing himself as "on the run." This contrasts with the unrelated case of former YouTube streamer Johnny Somali, who also faces potential imprisonment in South Korea.

The future of this case is uncertain; Pritchett's willingness to return to the US to face charges is unknown. It's relevant to note the 2023 kidnapping of YouTuber YourFellowArab in Haiti, a case that ended with his release after a harrowing ordeal with a Haitian gang, which he later documented.