Summary
- YouTube star 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 escape.
- His return to the US and the case's outcome are currently unknown.
Popular YouTuber Corey Pritchett faces serious accusations: two counts of aggravated kidnapping. Reports indicate he departed the country shortly after the charges were filed, a surprising turn of events for his many followers.
For those unfamiliar, Pritchett is a US-based content creator known for his engaging online persona. His YouTube career began in 2016, featuring family vlogs, challenges, and pranks. While not a top-tier YouTuber, he commands a substantial audience, with his primary channel, "CoreySSG," holding approximately 4 million subscribers and his secondary channel, "CoreySSG Live," exceeding 1 million. One particularly successful video, "LET’S HAVE A BABY PRANK," has accumulated over 12 million views.
Pritchett's legal troubles stem from an alleged kidnapping incident on November 24, 2024, in southwest Houston, adding to a concerning trend of kidnapping cases involving online personalities. According to ABC13, he met two women, aged 19 and 20, at a gym. After a day of activities including ATV riding and bowling, the situation escalated. Pritchett allegedly threatened them 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 expressed anxiety, believing someone was targeting him, and mentioned prior accusations of arson.
Pritchett's Flight and Mocking Video
After stopping his vehicle, Pritchett allegedly instructed the women to flee, leading them to walk for over an hour before finding help. On December 26, 2024, he was charged with two counts of aggravated kidnapping, but he had already left the country. Authorities, working with the FBI, confirmed his departure to Doha, Qatar, on December 9th on a one-way ticket, and he's now reportedly in Dubai. From there, he shared a video online, scoffing at the warrants and jokingly referring to himself as a fugitive. This situation draws parallels to another case involving former YouTuber Johnny Somali, who also faces potential imprisonment in South Korea, although their cases are unrelated.
The future of this case remains uncertain; whether Pritchett will return to face US authorities is unknown. It’s worth noting the 2023 kidnapping of YouTuber YourFellowArab in Haiti for ransom, an event which ended with his release and subsequent account of his terrifying experience with a Haitian gang.
