Summary
- Popular YouTuber Corey Pritchett is charged with aggravated kidnapping and has left the United States.
- 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 unknown.
YouTube personality Corey Pritchett faces serious accusations: two counts of aggravated kidnapping. Authorities say he departed the country shortly after the charges were filed, a surprising turn of events that has shocked his many followers as details of the allegations surfaced online.
For those unfamiliar, Pritchett is a US-based content creator known for his engaging online presence. He launched his YouTube career in 2016, featuring family vlogs, challenges, and pranks. While not a top-tier YouTuber, he's cultivated a substantial following; his main channel, "CoreySSG," boasts nearly 4 million subscribers, and his secondary channel, "CoreySSG Live," has over 1 million. One particularly popular video, "LET’S HAVE A BABY PRANK," has amassed 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 content creators. According to ABC13, two women (ages 19 and 20) met Pritchett at a gym and spent the day with him, participating in activities such as ATV riding and bowling. The situation escalated when 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 informed authorities that Pritchett appeared anxious, believing someone was pursuing him, and that he'd been accused 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 encountering a passerby who helped them contact law enforcement. On December 26, 2024, Pritchett was charged with two counts of aggravated kidnapping, but he had already left the country. Authorities confirmed with the FBI that he flew to Doha, Qatar, on December 9 on a one-way ticket and is currently believed to be in Dubai. From there, he posted a video deriding the warrants, claiming to be "on the run" and joking about the situation. This contrasts with the serious situation faced by former YouTube streamer Johnny Somali, who is also facing potential jail time in South Korea (though unrelated).
The future of this case remains uncertain, and whether Pritchett will return to face US authorities is unknown. It's noteworthy that in 2023, YouTuber YourFellowArab was kidnapped for ransom in Haiti but eventually released. He subsequently shared footage documenting his terrifying experience with a Haitian gang, providing a stark illustration of such events.
