Johnny Somali pleads guilty in South Korean court after arriving late and hungover
Johnny Somali, the infamous streamer known for his outrageous antics, finally made his much-anticipated court appearance in South Korea, where he pled guilty to several charges. The streamer, whose real name is Ramsey Khalid Ismael, has been a source of controversy, and his latest courtroom drama has only added fuel to the fire.
On March 7, 2025, Somali arrived at the courthouse an hour late, sporting an oversized suit and a MAGA hat, which he was repeatedly asked to remove. His tardiness and attire set the tone for a bizarre day in court. According to legal expert Legal Mindset, Somali pled guilty to charges of Obstruction of Business and two counts of violating the minor crimes act, although he claimed he was unaware of an additional obstruction charge against him.
In a surprising twist, Somali attempted to push his next court date to April 9, indicating that he was still trying to navigate the legal waters. Prior to the trial, he had plans to stream the proceedings on the app Parti, which could have led to him being held in contempt of court. Just a day before the trial, he went live on Parti, boasting about a supposed deal to broadcast his court appearance. “It’s time for a redemption arc,” he declared, promising to turn over a new leaf.
However, the night before his court date, Somali went live again, this time indulging in heavy drinking that resulted in him throwing up in his friend’s apartment. This reckless behavior has been a hallmark of his time in South Korea, where he has been causing chaos with his streams, much to the dismay of local politicians and citizens alike. His antics even led to a confrontation with a former member of the Korean Special Forces, who famously knocked him out in a viral video.
Somali's troubles began to escalate in Fall 2024 when he sparked outrage by kissing the Statue of Peace, a monument dedicated to South Korean victims of sexual slavery during World War II. This incident caught the attention of the South Korean parliament, leading to increased scrutiny and police action against him.
Ramsey's first day of trial just concluded, he was 1 hour late and came in with his roommate Hank. Both Ramsey's lawyer and Ramsey had no idea about the new charges so they pushed the next trial date for 3 weeks from today, April 9th.
Johnny pled GUILTY to all the other…— Legal Mindset (@TheLegalMindset) March 7, 2025Read More
His streams have provided law enforcement with ample evidence to pursue multiple charges against him. The initial Obstruction of Business charge stemmed from a chaotic incident at a 7-Eleven, while the two Minor Crimes Act charges relate to bizarre acts of harassment, including allegedly shoving a dead fish in people's faces and a questionable “twerking” incident on the subway.
3/7 3:27
— ジョニーリマソ (@canceljohnnys) March 6, 2025
韓国のジョニーソマリが裁判当日にpartiより初ライブ配信
partiと契約し裁判をライブ配信すると宣言した
実際にpartiオーナーのコメントも確認された
裁判は本日午前10:10とのこと
3.5時間ひたすら飲み続け呂律も回らない状態だ#johnnysomali https://t.co/qYb8s6XRIj pic.twitter.com/YX5Wq8vkHN
Obstruction of business can carry a hefty penalty, with a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Given the multiple charges he faces, Somali could potentially be looking at a decade behind bars if the court proceedings do not go in his favor. Furthermore, his controversial streaming history is riddled with additional incidents that could lead to even more legal troubles in the future.
March 7th - approximately 5:00 AM, South Korea - On the very day that Johnny Somali (Ramsey Khalid Ismael) is supposed to go to the courthouse for trial, he gets shit-faced drunk and vomits all over Hank Yoo's apartment. LOL! What an idiot! You can't make this up! #johnnysomali pic.twitter.com/O6Jg3P9bQv
— johnnysosmally (@johnnysosmally) March 6, 2025
To date, Somali has been accused of a range of serious offenses, including violating anti-terrorism laws, making threats against female streamers, drug use, creating AI deepfakes of other content creators, violating the Railroad Act, and even disseminating North Korean propaganda. His behavior has not only drawn the ire of South Korean authorities but has also led to his expulsion from Japan for similar disruptive actions. In a previous court appearance in Japan, he admitted to lying about not profiting from his broadcasts, further complicating his legal standing.
