Johnny Somali faces worsening legal situation in South Korea as more charges loom

Controversial streamer Johnny Somali continues to find himself embroiled in serious legal troubles in South Korea.

As previously reported, Somali was charged with obstruction of business after a chaotic 7-Eleven broadcast, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. According to updates from Legal Mindset, a YouTube lawyer tracking the case, Somali is now being investigated for multiple additional allegations. These include violating anti-terrorism laws, drug use, creating AI deepfakes, assault, and even spreading North Korean propaganda.

As of November 18, 2024, Somali has requested a public defender for his case, but with a prosecutor who has a 90% win rate for similar charges, things aren’t looking good for the streamer. Legal Mindset suggests Somali's first trial hearing, set for December 2024, could drag on for months, possibly lasting well into summer 2025. This is problematic for Somali, who is unable to generate income from his streaming while stuck in South Korea awaiting trial.

Additionally, new charges are expected to be filed against Somali by late November or early December 2024. These charges could include another obstruction of business count, stemming from a previous incident in an amusement park, as well as further allegations tied to his ongoing investigations. While Somali faces a maximum of five years behind bars for his current charge, these new allegations could increase the severity of his punishment.

For Somali, the situation is dire as he remains optimistic about returning to the United States to continue his streaming career, but the path forward is uncertain as his legal battles unfold.