Prominent YouTuber Faces Kidnapping Charges

YouTube Star Corey Pritchett Faces Kidnapping Charges, Flees to the Middle East

Popular YouTube content creator Corey Pritchett is facing serious legal trouble. He's been charged with two counts of aggravated kidnapping in connection with an incident in Houston, Texas on November 24, 2024. Following the filing of charges, Pritchett reportedly fled the United States.

Pritchett, known for his vlogs, challenges, and pranks on his channels "CoreySSG" (nearly 4 million subscribers) and "CoreySSG Live" (over 1 million subscribers), has amassed a significant online following. His videos have garnered millions of views, with one prank video exceeding 12 million views.

According to reports from ABC13, two young women, aged 19 and 20, met Pritchett at a gym. Their day, which initially involved activities like ATV riding and bowling, took a dangerous turn when Pritchett allegedly threatened them at gunpoint, speeding away on I-10 and confiscating their phones. He reportedly told them he intended to kill them, expressing anxieties about being pursued and mentioning accusations of arson.

After stopping the vehicle, Pritchett allegedly allowed the women to escape. They walked for over an hour before finding help and contacting the authorities.

While Pritchett was officially charged on December 26, 2024, he had already left the country. Authorities confirmed his departure on December 9th, flying to Doha, Qatar, on a one-way ticket. He's now believed to be in Dubai, where he reportedly posted a video mocking the warrants and joking about being "on the run."

The situation mirrors, to a degree, the case of another online personality, Johnny Somali, who faces potential jail time in South Korea, though the cases are unrelated. The outcome of Pritchett's case remains uncertain, and his potential return to the US to face the charges is unknown. This incident follows the high-profile kidnapping of YouTuber YourFellowArab in Haiti in 2023, highlighting the risks faced by some online personalities.