Summary
- Popular YouTuber Corey Pritchett faces aggravated kidnapping charges and is a fugitive from US justice.
- Pritchett, currently believed to be in Dubai, posted a video taunting authorities and making light of the accusations.
- His potential return to the US and the ultimate resolution of the case remain unknown.
Corey Pritchett, a prominent US-based YouTube content creator, is facing serious legal trouble. He's been charged with two counts of aggravated kidnapping following an incident on November 24, 2024, in southwest Houston. The news has sent shockwaves through his online community.
Pritchett, known for his family vlogs, challenges, and pranks on his channels "CoreySSG" (approximately 4 million subscribers) and "CoreySSG Live" (over 1 million subscribers), gained significant online popularity since launching his YouTube career in 2016. One of his most viewed videos, a prank titled "LET’S HAVE A BABY PRANK," boasts over 12 million views.
According to reports from ABC13, Pritchett allegedly kidnapped two women, aged 19 and 20, after meeting them at a gym. The women's day of activities, including ATV riding and bowling, took a terrifying turn when Pritchett allegedly threatened them with a firearm, sped away with them on I-10, and confiscated their phones, allegedly stating his intention to kill them. The women reported Pritchett expressed anxiety about being pursued and mentioned accusations of arson against him. He eventually allowed them to escape, leading to their reporting the incident to authorities.
Pritchett's Flight and Mocking Video
Charged on December 26, 2024, with two counts of aggravated kidnapping, Pritchett had already fled the country. Authorities confirmed his departure on December 9th to Doha, Qatar, via a one-way ticket, with his current location believed to be Dubai. From there, he released a video mocking the warrants, claiming to be "on the run" and joking about the situation. This contrasts with the serious nature of the charges and the trauma experienced by the alleged victims. The case also draws parallels to other high-profile incidents involving online personalities, such as the unrelated case of former YouTube streamer Johnny Somali facing potential new charges in South Korea.
The future of this case remains uncertain, with Pritchett's intentions regarding surrender to US authorities unknown. The incident recalls the 2023 kidnapping of YouTuber YourFellowArab in Haiti, who was later released after a harrowing ordeal with a Haitian gang, an experience he subsequently documented for his followers.
