Summary
- Popular YouTuber Corey Pritchett faces two counts of aggravated kidnapping and is a fugitive from US justice.
- Pritchett, currently believed to be in Dubai, has released a video taunting authorities and the charges.
- His potential return to the US and the ultimate resolution of the case remain unknown.
Corey Pritchett, a prominent US-based YouTube personality, is facing serious legal trouble. Accused of aggravated kidnapping, Pritchett reportedly left the country shortly after charges were filed, leaving his substantial online following shocked and concerned.
Pritchett, known for his family vlogs, challenges, and pranks, has cultivated a large audience across two YouTube channels, "CoreySSG" (approximately 4 million subscribers) and "CoreySSG Live" (over 1 million subscribers). His content, often featuring lighthearted pranks, contrasts sharply with the gravity of the allegations against him. One particularly popular video, "LET’S HAVE A BABY PRANK," boasts over 12 million views.
The alleged kidnapping incident occurred on November 24, 2024, in southwest Houston. According to reports by ABC13, two women, aged 19 and 20, accepted an invitation from Pritchett after meeting him at a gym. Their day of ATV riding and bowling took a frightening turn when Pritchett allegedly threatened them with a firearm, forcing them into his vehicle and driving at high speeds on I-10. He reportedly confiscated their phones and made threats against their lives, expressing anxieties about being pursued and mentioning accusations of arson.
Pritchett's Flight and Mocking Video
After stopping his vehicle, Pritchett allegedly allowed the women a chance to escape. They subsequently walked for over an hour before finding help and contacting the police. Charged on December 26, 2024, with two counts of aggravated kidnapping, Pritchett had already fled the country. Authorities confirmed his December 9th departure to Doha, Qatar, on a one-way ticket, with his current location believed to be Dubai. From there, he posted a video online mocking the warrants and his situation, claiming to be "on the run." This incident follows the unrelated case of former YouTube streamer Johnny Somali, who is also facing potential imprisonment in South Korea.
The future of this case remains uncertain. Whether Pritchett will voluntarily return to the US to face justice is unknown. The case draws parallels to the 2023 kidnapping of YouTuber YourFellowArab in Haiti, who, after a harrowing ordeal involving a Haitian gang, was eventually released and subsequently shared his experience online.
