YouTuber and streamer Jack Doherty has been arrested in Miami Beach, and the charges against him could add up to several years behind bars if he’s convicted.
The 22-year-old creator, who boasts more than 15 million YouTube subscribers and over 13 million followers across TikTok and Instagram, was taken into custody on November 15. Hours earlier, he had been livestreaming from a yacht in Miami while using the platform Parti.
Jack Doherty arrested in Miami Beach
According to Miami Beach Police, officers detained Doherty outside a smoke shop and booked him into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center shortly before 9 am local time.
Police say the streamer walked into the middle of Washington Ave. to film content, blocking traffic and creating what they described as a “dangerous situation for both drivers and himself.”
Despite reportedly being instructed multiple times to clear the road, Doherty refused the officers’ orders, responding, “Once I’m done with this bet!”
Once he was arrested, officers searched his pockets and found amphetamine and marijuana.
He was charged with:
- Possession of a controlled substance
- Possession of marijuana (under 20 grams)
- Resisting arrest without violence
Police say they recovered amphetamine from Doherty. While amphetamine is commonly prescribed for ADHD and narcolepsy, it’s still classified as a controlled substance in Florida without a valid prescription. Officers also reported finding less than 20 grams of marijuana.
After bonding out on a reported $3,500 bail, Doherty quickly leaned into the moment, posting content and even wearing a shirt featuring his own mugshot.
How much jail time could Jack Doherty face?
Here’s how Florida law breaks down the penalties:
Possession of a controlled substance (third-degree felony)
- Up to 5 years in prison
- Up to $5,000 fine
Possession of marijuana under 20 grams (misdemeanor)
- Up to 1 year in jail
- Up to $1,000 fine
Resisting an officer without violence (first-degree misdemeanor)
- Up to 1 year in jail
- Up to 1 year probation
- Up to $1,000 fine
If Doherty were convicted on all counts and received the maximum penalties, he could face up to 7 years in jail.
A history of controversies
Doherty is no stranger to legal issues. In 2024, he wrecked his $200,000 McLaren 520s while livestreaming in the rain, leading to a ban from Kick.
The incident earned him a ticket for using his phone behind the wheel and even got spoofed in a Saturday Night Live sketch.
He also made headlines after his then-girlfriend, McKinley Richardson, called the police on him during a domestic incident.
Later, after being unbanned from Kick, he lost his account again when he and his security guard chased down a stream sniper who slapped him and started a street brawl.
Police pressure on influencers keeps rising
Doherty’s arrest comes as U.S. authorities have been ramping up enforcement against viral creators.
Earlier this year, TikTok prankster Heston James faced felony charges in Arizona after a months-long streak of disruptive stunts, potentially putting him on the hook for nine years in prison.
In another recent case, a New York DoorDash driver who went viral for filming a customer lying exposed on his couch was arrested and charged with a felony in early November.
Whether Doherty ultimately serves jail time will depend on how the case progresses, but the potential penalties are significant, and the scrutiny on high-profile creators isn’t slowing down.
