Latest news with #MinorCrimesAct
Express Tribune
06-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Johnny Somali faces years in jail as victim demands maximum sentence
YouTuber Johnny Somali, real name Ramsey Khalid Ismael, could face a significantly longer prison sentence after an alleged victim filed a court petition requesting the maximum punishment. Somali is currently on trial in South Korea, where he faces multiple charges including Obstruction of Business and violations of the Minor Crimes Act, stemming from controversial livestreams filmed across the country. The streamer has pleaded guilty to two Obstruction of Business charges and two Minor Crimes Act violations but maintains his innocence on several Deepfake-related charges. New information suggests additional charges may also be on the horizon. On June 30, YouTuber Legal Mindset, who has been closely following the case, revealed that a court petition has been submitted by an individual reportedly impacted by Somali's actions. The petitioner is believed to be either a passenger delayed on a bus due to Somali's behavior or a parent who was present at Lotte World when Somali allegedly used text-to-speech to make disturbing comments involving children. The legal petition requires the victim to prove actual harm, a lack of remorse by Somali, and that no reconciliation occurred. If found valid and Somali is convicted, the petition could push his sentence from a minimum of 6 months to over 4 years. In addition, a separate case concerning alleged child sexual harassment is progressing rapidly. If convicted, Somali could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 50 million Won (approx. $36,200 USD). Somali's next court date is set for August 13, 2025, with a full day of testimony expected. The trial continues to draw widespread attention due to the serious nature of the charges and the influencer's high profile.
Express Tribune
30-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Johnny Somali's alleged victim files petition for severe punishment
Johnny Somali, also known as Ramsey Khalid Ismael, is facing mounting legal troubles as his trial in South Korea intensifies. On June 30, a new development emerged when a reported victim filed a court petition demanding that the court impose the maximum sentence allowed under law. Somali is currently on trial for multiple offenses linked to his controversial live-streaming activities in South Korea. He has pleaded guilty to two counts of Obstruction of Business and two violations of the Minor Crimes Act. However, he continues to deny allegations related to the creation of Deepfake videos, with additional charges reportedly still under review. According to YouTuber Legal Mindset, who has been closely following the case, the individual who submitted the petition is not BongBong, the streamer Somali is accused of targeting with Deepfakes. Instead, the petition is believed to have come from either a person affected by a public bus disruption allegedly caused by Somali, or a parent present at Lotte World theme park. During the incident at the park, Somali is accused of using a text-to-speech feature to broadcast inappropriate and explicit remarks involving children. This petition could influence sentencing if Somali is found guilty on all charges, especially as public pressure builds over his behavior during his stay in South Korea. Legal experts suggest that victim impact petitions may sway judges toward harsher penalties, especially in high-profile or morally charged cases. The case continues to draw significant attention online and in South Korean media as the trial proceeds. Somali's next court date is expected to shed more light on the remaining charges and the court's stance on potential sentencing enhancements.
Express Tribune
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Johnny Somali investigation in South Korea could lead to 10-year prison sentence for child harassment
Ramsey Khalid Ismael, better known as controversial streamer 'Johnny Somali,' is reportedly under investigation by South Korean authorities for alleged child sexual harassment — a charge that could carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years with labor if he is found guilty. The news was shared by lawyer and YouTuber Andrew 'Legal Mindset' during a livestream on April 7, 2025. The investigation follows a series of recent incidents involving the streamer. On March 7, 2025, Somali pleaded guilty to three prior charges, including obstruction of business and two violations under South Korea's Minor Crimes Act. Just two weeks later, on March 21, he was accused of stalking and sexually harassing a Japanese female streamer during a broadcast on the platform Parti. In the April 7 livestream, Legal Mindset played a clip from a September 30, 2024, video where Somali appeared to acknowledge possible legal trouble tied to text-to-speech messages that allegedly targeted minors with explicit content. Legal Mindset described the development as one of the biggest updates in the ongoing case, highlighting that child sexual harassment in South Korea can result in imprisonment with labor for up to 10 years and/or a fine of 50 million won. He emphasized the seriousness of the content involved, calling the messages 'vile' and 'disgusting,' and warning that the consequences, if convicted, would be severe. As of this writing, Johnny Somali has not released any public statement regarding the ongoing investigation. No official charges specifically related to the child sexual harassment claims have been filed by South Korean authorities at this time.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Johnny Somali Guaranteed Prison Time in South Korea After AI Deepfake Scandal
The downfall of Ramsey Khalid Ismael, infamously known as Johnny Somali, has reached a grim climax. The controversial American live streamer, notorious for his brazen antics and public disruptions, is now guaranteed to face prison time in South Korea. A fifth and most severe charge violating the country's Special Act on Sexual Violence Crimes has obliterated any remaining hope for leniency. The days of online infamy are over. For Somali, the virtual stage that once gave him global attention has been replaced by the harsh reality of legal consequences. Johnny Somali's legal woes began with a cascade of misdemeanors. Prosecutors initially slapped him with multiple charges, including Obstruction of Business and violations of the Minor Crimes Act. His reckless behavior had become a recurring nuisance in South Korea's public spaces. Among his most infamous stunts was the grotesque incident of brandishing a dead fish on a subway, tormenting passengers with its foul presence. His penchant for public humiliation and chaos didn't stop there. Inappropriate conduct on public transport and relentless disruptions left locals outraged and authorities determined to end his antics. But even those reprehensible acts pale in comparison to the new accusation that has escalated his case to unprecedented severity. Prosecutors revealed that Somali is now facing charges for violating South Korea's Special Act on Sexual Violence Crimes. The charge stems from an AI-generated deepfake video that depicted popular Korean streamer BongBong in fabricated intimate scenes with Somali. Under South Korean law, the creation, distribution, or possession of non-consensual AI-generated explicit content is classified as a sexual crime. Legal experts have confirmed that this offense carries a mandatory prison sentence of up to seven years. Unlike the previous charges, which allowed for financial penalties, this particular crime eliminates the possibility of a mere fine. 'This is not simply an issue of digital mischief,' explained legal analyst Legal Mindset. 'This is a serious sexual offense, and South Korea's courts will treat it as such. When deepfakes are weaponized to humiliate or defame, the legal system responds with severe consequences.' South Korea has cemented its reputation as a global leader in combating digital sex crimes. The country's strict laws were fortified following a series of high-profile cases involving sexually explicit deepfakes and online harassment. In 2024, lawmakers passed legislation criminalizing the possession and viewing of non-consensual deepfake content. The penalties are unyielding. Offenders can face up to three years in prison or fines reaching 30 million won, equivalent to around $22,600. Distributing or profiting from such content carries even harsher consequences, with sentences of up to seven years behind bars. South Korean society, still healing from past cases of cyber exploitation, has shown little patience for perpetrators like Somali. Public sentiment is resolute. Accountability is not optional. As if the gravity of his legal situation were not enough, Somali's courtroom behavior has only exacerbated the backlash. During his March 7 hearing, the streamer arrived inebriated, staggering through the halls of justice in a 'Make America Great Again' hat. 'It was a blatant display of contempt for the court,' remarked one observer. 'He seemed more interested in making a spectacle than acknowledging the seriousness of his crimes.' Theatrics aside, Somali's antics did him no favors. Many South Korean citizens took his actions as a deliberate insult, further fueling public outrage. Online forums buzzed with condemnation, with thousands calling for the harshest possible sentence. Somali's case is more than a cautionary tale of personal downfall. It is a reflection of the dark side of technological advancement. AI-powered deepfake technology has become a weapon for harassment, defamation, and character assassination. South Korean lawmakers have consistently emphasized that the fight against digital sex crimes is far from over. With Johnny Somali's case in the spotlight, there are growing calls for even stricter regulations and harsher penalties. Advocates argue that the rapid proliferation of AI-generated content necessitates a vigilant and adaptive legal response. 'This is a watershed moment,' said activist and digital safety advocate Minji Park. 'The court's decision will set a precedent, sending a clear message that technology cannot be exploited without consequence.' As the legal proceedings continue, one certainty remains. Prison time is inevitable for Johnny Somali. The days of streaming reckless stunts for online clout are gone. Now, he faces the cold reality of South Korea's unwavering justice system. The court's ruling is expected to send reverberations across the digital landscape, serving as a stark reminder that actions, even those performed behind the facade of a screen, carry real-world consequences. For Johnny Somali, the stage is dark, the audience is gone, and the final act is near. The post Johnny Somali Guaranteed Prison Time in South Korea After AI Deepfake Scandal appeared first on Where Is The Buzz | Breaking News, Entertainment, Exclusive Interviews & More.
Express Tribune
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Johnny Somali faces mandatory prison time in South Korea over AI deepfake charge
Controversial streamer Johnny Somali, real name Ramsey Khalid Ismael, is facing a mandatory prison sentence in South Korea after authorities added a new charge to his case. A legal expert claims the latest offense ensures jail time, as it carries no option for a fine. The streamer, notorious for disruptive behavior, has faced multiple charges, including Obstruction of Business and violations of the Minor Crimes Act. His actions have included causing disturbances in public places, using a dead fish to harass passengers, and twerking on a subway. Now, a fifth charge has been merged into his case—a violation of South Korea's Special Act on Sexual Violence Crimes due to an AI deepfake video. The video allegedly depicted Korean streamer BongBong in a fabricated intimate scene with Ismael, an act that under Korean law is classified as a sex crime. Legal analyst Legal Mindset revealed on March 27 that this charge ensures a prison sentence of up to seven years since it involved the distribution of explicit AI-generated content for profit. 'In South Korean law, distributing AI content without consent is illegal, and if it involves intimate acts, it qualifies as sexual,' the lawyer explained. Somali, who appeared in court drunk and wearing a MAGA hat on March 7, is set for another hearing on April 9. His case has sparked widespread backlash, with critics calling for harsher penalties against online harassment and AI deepfake abuse.
