Johnny Somali is facing serious legal trouble, with new charges that could lead to a potential 31-year prison sentence. Among these charges is the creation or sharing of deepfakes, which is classified as a sex crime in South Korea.
In addition to this, he is charged with obstructing business and may face further accusations, including the distribution of North Korean propaganda. The trial process for Somali, whose real name is Ramsey Khalid Ismael, is taking considerable time in South Korea.
The delays are partly due to the continuous addition of new charges. Somali has earned a reputation as a notorious streamer known for causing disturbances, and he has been previously banned from Japan and Israel for similar behaviors.
His recent actions in South Korea have escalated into an official investigation, particularly after he disrespected a memorial dedicated to comfort women. As a result, Somali is currently prohibited from leaving South Korea until the completion of his legal proceedings.
So far, Johnny Somali has pled guilty to one count of obstructing business, but that is not the extent of his legal woes. He now faces another deepfake charge, marking his second instance of this crime.
Legal Mindset, a YouTube channel specializing in legal analysis, indicates that each deepfake charge can carry a prison sentence of up to 10.5 years. If convicted on all counts, Somali’s cumulative time behind bars could reach as high as 31 years.
Somali’s troubling behavior during the trial, such as appearing hungover in court, adds to the likelihood of a harsh sentencing. As more streamers distance themselves from him and additional charges emerge, the outlook for Johnny Somali remains bleak.