YouTube Celeb Accused of Abduction

Summary

• Popular YouTuber 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 flight.
• His return to the US and the case's resolution are currently unknown.

YouTube personality Corey Pritchett faces serious accusations: two counts of aggravated kidnapping. He reportedly left the country shortly after the charges were filed, surprising his substantial online following.

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 significant audience, with his main channel, "CoreySSG," holding approximately 4 million subscribers and his secondary channel, "CoreySSG Live," exceeding 1 million. One 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. According to ABC13, Pritchett allegedly met two women (ages 19 and 20) at a gym. After a day of activities including ATV riding and bowling, he allegedly threatened them at gunpoint, speeding on I-10 while confiscating their phones and threatening to kill them. The women reported Pritchett expressed anxiety, believing someone was targeting him, and mentioning prior accusations of arson.

Pritchett's Flight and Mocking Video

After stopping his vehicle, Pritchett allegedly allowed the women to escape. They walked for over an hour before finding help and contacting authorities. Charged on December 26, 2024, with two counts of aggravated kidnapping, Pritchett had already fled to Doha, Qatar, on December 9th, on a one-way ticket. He's now reportedly in Dubai, where he posted a video mocking the warrants and his situation, describing himself as “on the run.” This contrasts with the case of former YouTuber Johnny Somali, who also faces potential jail time in South Korea (though unrelated).

The outcome of Pritchett's case remains uncertain, with his potential return to the US unknown. The incident recalls the 2023 kidnapping of YouTuber YourFellowArab in Haiti, who was eventually released after a harrowing experience with a Haitian gang, which he later documented.