Ramsey “Johnny Somali”Khalid Ismael, a widely debated figure in the online streaming community, has entered a guilty plea regarding several criminal charges which could potentially result in a five-year incarceration in South Korea. The second court session related to his case occurred on May 16, 2025.
For context, Johnny Somali is facing a total of six serious criminal allegations in South Korea. These include two counts of obstruction of business, two violations of the Minor Offenses Act, and two counts pertaining to the Special Act on Punishment of Sexual Crimes.
During a live courtroom update on May 16, Andrew “Legal Mindset,”a YouTuber and legal expert, indicated that an additional charge for obstruction of business had been brought against Johnny Somali. He reported that the streamer has pleaded guilty to five out of the seven charges made against him.
Summary of Charges and Pleas
| CHARGE | PENALTY | PLEA |
|---|---|---|
| Obstruction of Business Count 1 | Max 5 years | Guilty |
| Minor Crimes Act Count 1 | Fine/30 days | Guilty |
| Minor Crimes Act Count 2 | Fine/30 days | Guilty |
| Obstruction of Business Count 2 | Max 5 years | Guilty |
| Deepfake Count 1 | Max 10.5 years | Not guilty |
| Deepfake Count 2 | Max 10.5 years | Not guilty |
| Obstruction of Business Count 3 | Max 5 years | Guilty |
As reported by Legal Mindset:
“Here are all seven charges – he is guilty on the first obstruction, guilty on Minor Crimes Act number one, guilty on Minor Crimes Act number two, guilty on obstruction number two, he has pleaded not guilty for deepfake count one, deepfake count two, and he has pleaded guilty on obstruction count three. So, that is the update.”
The Judge’s Demands for Evidence of Innocence
During the latest trial, the presiding judge sought evidence supporting Johnny Somali’s claims of innocence regarding the deepfake charges. Legal Mindset shared insight from the courtroom:
“Let’s see what we have from the courtroom. The judge asked the attorney for proof of Johnny’s innocence regarding the deepfake. The lawyer’s response was that there is no evidence supporting Johnny’s innocence. Thus, Johnny must now work to provide evidence, as the victim is expected to testify in connection with the deepfake case.”
The subsequent trial date for Johnny Somali has been scheduled for August 13, 2025, and is anticipated to feature a comprehensive day of testimony.