YouTuber faces hefty prison sentence following arrest over abandoned mall video
Police have arrested another YouTuber in connection to a video where two people explored an abandoned mall, with 44-year-old Richard Matranga – known better by his online alias, 'RangerRickTV' – potentially facing a hefty prison sentence.
Not only is entering abandoned malls considered to be a criminal offence, with unauthorized entry of a business applying even to areas that are no longer operational, but a new Louisiana law has introduced an additional crime to Matranga's charges, specifically relating to the video he shared on YouTube.
Police were, as per Nola.com, made aware of Mantranga's video alongside fellow creator 'Steve Ronin', real name Stephen Pamaran, after an anonymous tip alerted law enforcement to the potential crime.
An investigation was subsequently opened earlier this year with warrants obtained for the pair in mid-July, and Matranga recently turned himself into the police before being released from jail on a $5,500 bond according to court records.
How much prison time could Matranga face?
Matranga current faces two charges, with one county of felony unauthorized entry of a business, and another of unlawful posting of criminal activity for notoriety or publicity — the latter of which was only recently introduced by the state of Louisiana.
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According to Louisiana state legislature, of which Matranga is subject to due to the location of the long-shuttered Esplanade Mall in Kenner that he explored with Pamaran, section 62.4 indicates that he could face a fine of up to $1,000, alongside a jail sentence no more than 6 years in total.
This obviously depends on the severity of the crime, and there is the potential for the abandoned nature of the Esplanade Mall to be taken into account, yet Matranga could be made an example of by law enforcement that are increasingly concerned about the safety of those exploring abandoned areas.
Additionally, the misdemeanor for sharing criminal activity for notoriety of publicity – relating to the YouTube video released by Matranga and Pamaran – he could face a fine of no more than $500 and a prison sentence of up to six months.
So, the YouTuber could in total be stuck in prison for 6.5 years with a fine of $1,500 to pay, yet it's unclear whether – if convicted at all – this maximum will be reached.
Matranga's video is also now deemed to be contraband as a consequence of the law, with legislation stating that "the court, upon motion of the district attorney and after a contradictory hearing, may order the destruction of the contraband after it is determined that it is no longer needed as evidence."
Urban exploration videos surge in popularity
While law enforcement have specifically focused on Matranga's video on Esplanade Mall, both himself and a growing number of creators across social media have explored what's come to be known as 'urbex' content, which involves entering abandoned buildings to see what's there.
Many of Matranga's videos have earned over a million videos on YouTube, including ones where he enters a mansion owned by Barbara Mandrell, a 1970s house owned by a missing family, and one where he managed to find a castle that had been abandoned for over a millennium.
Police have become increasingly critical of these attempts in recent years, however, after efforts from some have led to fatal consequences due to the risks associated with exploring often unmaintained and dangerous structures.
As per Dexerto, only a few weeks ago did 17-year-old Jacque St. Ann tragically die after falling from an interior staircase while exploring the 45-story abandoned Plaza Tower in New Orleans, so incarceration has been threatened as a deterrent to ensure people's safety.