Johnny Somali Fears Increased Jail Time After Police Seize His Phone

Controversy surrounds streamer Johnny Somali, whose real name is Ramsey Khalid Ismael, as he expresses significant fear after police confiscated his mobile phone. This action could potentially lead to a lengthy prison sentence for him.

After creating chaos in South Korea for several months, Somali has now gone into hiding and is currently unable to leave the country. His actions earlier in his trip sparked outrage, culminating in a heated response from the South Korean parliament when he performed offensive dances by the Statue of Peace, a monument honoring victims of Japanese wartime atrocities during World War II.

Somali’s legal troubles are mounting; he is set to face trial in March for obstruction of business related to his disruptive behavior inside a 7-Eleven store. More serious charges may follow as well.

Johnny Somali causing drama in 7-Eleven — Johnny Somali is going on trial in March.

Johnny Somali’s Legal Woes Intensify

Recently, Somali faced accusations over his alleged use of AI technology to create deepfakes that depicted him kissing Korean streamer Bongbong, alongside claims of falsely boasting about having a girlfriend.

Deepfake technology is treated very seriously in South Korea. A new law enacted in September now imposes extensive penalties, including up to seven years in prison and fines exceeding $22,000 USD for possessing explicit deepfakes of individuals.

In December 2024, Legal Mindset, a prominent YouTube lawyer closely monitoring Somali’s situation, reported that Somali’s anxiety has surged since the authorities seized his phone. He emphasized the gravity of the situation by stating:

“He was not just in possession of, but he broadcasted several deepfakes, which elevates it in severity.”

Even if Somali attempts to distance himself from the creation of these deepfakes by claiming they were produced by members of his Discord community, this defense does not absolve him of liability.

Legal Mindset elaborated, stating, “It actually can make things even worse. Because he went out and broadcasted them to a wider audience. It’s very bad. Possession alone is a crime. If you broadcast it or distribute it, that makes it worse.”

Insiders speculate that Somali’s legal challenges are far from over. Legal Mindset suggests he might face deepfake-related charges that could serve as a “silver bullet”for prosecutors. The confiscation of his devices indicates that other serious investigations may be underway.

In addition to his deepfake allegations, Somali is reportedly under scrutiny for various serious offenses, including violations of anti-terrorism laws, threats of sexual assault against female streamers, drug-related charges, breaches of the Railroad Act, and possibly disseminating North Korean propaganda.

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