11 YouTubers Who Became Criminals | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

11 YouTubers Who Became Criminals

Online stars who had run-ins with the law.

41.7k
11 YouTubers Who Became Criminals
Desaree Prokos

Youtube stars can make some serious bank in todays society, and sometimes that draws in people who want attention for all the wrong reasons.

Multiple online superstars have had run-ins with the law over the past decade, and for a spectrum of reasons. While some 'fell in love' and had inappropriate relationships with underaged fans, others went out on full-blown, bloody rampages that ended in catastrophe.

Here are 11 Youtubers who have had run-ins with police, and found themselves either dead or behind bars:

1. Elliot Rodger


Infamous 22-year-old Elliot Rodger went on a vicious killing spree in Isla Vista, California on May 23, 2014. Rodger fatally stabbed three males in his residence, before shooting another three females in front of a sorority house in town – two of the women were killed, one injured. He fatally shot a man at a local deli, and injured 13 others during fire-exchange with police officers.

Rodger ultimately ended the horrific night in Isla Vista by shooting himself inside his wrecked BMW.

The day before Rodger's rampage, he posted a Youtube video explaining why 'it had to come to this.' He described that being a virgin, girls turning him down and popular kids ignoring him at school, had become too much for him to bear.

"You've forced me to suffer all my life and now I'll force you all to suffer. I've waited a long time for this. I'll give you exactly what you deserve. All of you.

All you girls who rejected me and looked down upon me and you know, treated me like scum while you gave yourselves to other men. And all of you men, for living a better life than me, all of you sexually active men, I hate you. I hate all of you.

I can't wait to give you exactly what you deserve. Utter annihilation (laughs)."

2. Trey Eric Sesler


Trey Sesler was an anime and videogame Youtuber under the username 'lenscapproductions.' His videos were viewed millions of times, and he posted a total of 323 videos.

On March 20, 2012 he killed his father, mother and brother in his Waller, Texas home. Writing was found all over the walls; expressing love for his family and things like, "God forgive me, for I cannot forgive myself." The bodies of his family had been shot multiple times.

He later admitted to police he killed them because he did not want them to know about his upcoming 'Columbine inspired' massacre. Him and a friend had planned on shooting up a high school.

He was charged with capital murder.

3. Pekka-Eric Auvinen


Pekka-Eric Auvinen, known as the 'Youtube Killer' had a small following on Youtube, but had over 100 videos uploaded; many of them bashing religions across the board.

On November 7, 2007, 18-year-old Auvinen walked into Jokela High School in Tuusula, Finland and shot nine people, killing eight and injuring one. Twelve others were also injured by flying shattered glass or sprained ankles during the chaos.

Auvinen ended his rampage by shooting himself in the head, and later dying in a Helsinki hospital.

4. Jared Lee Loughner

Jared Loughner posted disturbing and bizarre videos on Youtube over topics of religion, mind tricks, government, and a currency he designed. While his following was small, his view counts are high (though its hard to see how many of the views came before his horrific act).

Loughner became a mass murderer on January 8, 2011 when he shot and killed 6 people in Arizona. He shot and severely injured U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords, his original target. Other victims included Chief U.S. District Court Judge John Roll, as well as a nine-year-old bystander, Christina-Taylor Green.

In August 2012, Loughner pled guilty to 19 counts of murder and attempt of murder and he was sentenced to life, plus 140 years, in federal prison.

5. Mike Lombardo


Youtube musician Mike Lombardo was arrested in 2013 for possession of child pornography - presumably sent to him by underaged fans and found on his computer. Lombardo plead guilty and received just five years in prison, versus 20 years, the statutory maximum. He is now a registered sex offender.

6. Curtis Lepore


YouTuber and Viner Curtis Lepore dated fellow Viner Jessi 'Smiles' for a few months back in 2013. Both were extremely successful and the internet was obsessed with their new relationship. I remember personally watching them meet for the first time online – the world was in love with them and there was a trending hashtag to prove it.

However, things took a turn for the worst in August of 2013, when Lepore was charged for raping Jessi. Jessi told authorities she was hit in the head on accident while filming a vine, and feeling dizzy, fell asleep. She woke up to Lepore raping her.

The next day, following Lepore’s arrest, he was released on a $100,000 bail. In February, Lepore plead guilty and only served 24 days of community service.

7. Kandee Johnson


Make-up artist and 'guru' Kandee Johnson faced two criminal charges regarding her 13-year-old son back in 2010. Her first charge was for child endangerment, after her then 12-year-old was found home alone – while she was on 'a business trip in LA.' Police said her home was borderline unlivable, with dishes and old food covering the surfaces of her home.

The second charge came in May of 2010 for not making the same son attend middle school. Prosecutors claim Johnson received half a dozen letters from the school notifying her of truancy and his excessive absences.

She plead guilty in exchange for her initial endangerment charge to be dropped, and Johnson's guilty plea landed her 90 days in the slammer.

To make things worse, Johnson asked for (and received) thousands of dollars from her fans to pay for the court and lawyer fees she was facing – to which many believe was much more than she even needed.

In fact, when her smaller request was fulfilled, she requested even more. She lost a lot of her following due to accusations of scamming money from her subscribers and fans.

8. “JinBop” Zhao

"JinBop" Zhao was arrested by federal officials for engaging in sexually predatory behavior, including enticing a minor to travel with intent of sexual misconduct, toward a 15-year-old fan of his Youtube channel. Investigation found Zhao had partaken in illicit online behavior with the minor for several months.

Zhao was also accused of producing and receiving child pornography.

9. David Rock


David Rock is Youtuber who used to record shenanigans that took place on his farm, located in Canada, and uploaded it to his 92K subscribers. In fact, at one point, he had a contract with Youtube which paid Rock $15,000 a month.

However, in 2009 Rock's dirty criminal record was exposed and things began to crumble for him.

Fans found out Rock had pled guilty to not one, not two, but seven charges of sexually exploiting children. Rock admitted to recording video footage of two teenage boys while encouraging them to masturbate.

He claimed he suffered from undiagnosed manic depression, which has since been treated for, and that minors aren't allowed on his farm without adult guardians. However, this wasn't enough to convince most of his followers to stay, and his account was eventually deactivated due to 'violating YouTube's Community Guidelines.'

10. Brandon Carter


Fitness Youtuber Brandon Carter was arrested on sixth street in Austin, Texas for a staged fight with fellow Youtuber Connor Murphy. The two planned on pretending to fight for a few minutes, then break out into dance.

However Austin police saw the fight and tackled the two the ground to prevent it from escalating, unaware that it was staged.

Murphy was let go, but Carter was arrested for 'resisting arrest.' Footage of the arrest showed differently – proving Carter was completely complacent.

Carter remains in jail three months later – and no one knows why.

11. Charles Ross


YouTube prankster Charles Ross was arrested for 'battery' in 2013 for giving wedgies to strangers in public. Yes, you read that right. For wedgies.

Ross had given a series of random wedgies outside of a movie theatre in Florida, when a 20-year-old victim decided he was going to press charges. The Mantee County Sheriff’s Office arrested Ross and detained him for the night. He was released the next day on a $750 bond.

In 2017, he was arrested again for stealing stop signs.

From Your Site Articles
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

4721
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less
Jenna Pizzi and her mom smiling by a waterfront with a historic ship in the background.
Jenna Pizzi

There is always a time in the semester when you have about three papers, four tests, five assignments and two projects due within the same time period. Isn't that just the best?

It's almost as if the professors all plot against you just to make college even more stressful than it already is. No matter how many people try to make you feel better, no one ever compares to your mom. Moms always know exactly what to say.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Jobs Your Roommate Has

She's got your back with everything that college throws at you.

3156
Cristina Yang and Meredith Grey in scrubs sit against a wall, smiling and enjoying a break.

If you are anything like my roommate and I, you have a friendship with your roomie. You’re lucky to have gotten a roommate that is easy to get along with and more importantly cool to live with. Whether you found her on Facebook or went random, a roommate is a big part of life in college. This list goes through some of the jobs that a roommate has that help you get through college.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

35 Things I Wish I Learned In My Freshman Year Of College

Just some relatable college student advice! Yes, you aren’t the only one!

2443
Towson University
YouTube

Freshman year can either be the greatest year, or the roughest year. It depends on your transition and how you adjust. For me, freshman year in college was one of the best years of my life. However, looking back, there are a few things that I wish I learned.

Now that I am a sophomore, I can finally do things a little differently. Here are a few things that I wish I learned my freshman year of college!

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments