YouTube Star Accused of Abduction

Summary

• YouTube star 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.

Popular YouTube content creator Corey Pritchett faces serious accusations: two counts of aggravated kidnapping. Authorities say he left the country shortly after charges were filed, a shocking development for his large online following.

For those unfamiliar, Pritchett is a US-based social media personality known for his engaging content. His YouTube career began in 2016, featuring family vlogs, challenges, and pranks. While not a top-tier YouTuber, he's amassed a substantial audience, with his main channel, "CoreySSG," holding approximately 4 million subscribers, and his second, "CoreySSG Live," exceeding 1 million. A popular video, "LET’S HAVE A BABY PRANK," boasts over 12 million views.

Pritchett's alleged actions on November 24, 2024, in southwest Houston, led to the serious charges. According to ABC13, he met two women (ages 19 and 20) at a gym, engaging in activities like ATV riding and bowling. The situation turned dangerous when Pritchett allegedly threatened them at gunpoint, sped away on I-10, and confiscated their phones, claiming he intended to kill them. The women reported Pritchett appeared anxious, believing someone was targeting him, and that he’d been accused of arson.

Pritchett's Flight and Mocking Video

After stopping, Pritchett allegedly told the women to flee, leading them to walk for over an hour before finding help. On December 26, 2024, he was charged, but he'd already departed for Doha, Qatar, on December 9th on a one-way ticket, later reportedly surfacing in Dubai. There, he released a video taunting authorities, stating he was "on the run" and making light of the situation. This contrasts with the serious situation faced by another former YouTube streamer, Johnny Somali, who is facing potential new charges in South Korea and possible jail time, though unrelated to Pritchett's case.

The future of this case is uncertain; it's unclear if Pritchett will return to face US authorities. The incident recalls the 2023 kidnapping of YouTuber YourFellowArab in Haiti, who was later released after a harrowing ordeal with a gang, an experience he subsequently documented.