Kenner police arrested YouTubers for entering the storm-ruined Esplanade Mall, cracking down on viral trespassing.
33-year-old YouTuber Stephan Pamaran faces arrest after illegally entering and filming inside the Esplanade Mall in Kenner, Louisiana, in September 2025.
Due to an active felony arrest warrant subsequently issued in August 2026, Ronin eventually decided to turn himself in to the authorities. His colleague RangerRickTV, whose real name is Richard Matranga, briefly remained at large before he also decided to face the music.
Police Crack Down on Urban Explorers
The Esplanade Mall had been a problem since it was permanently shuttered in 2021 after suffering extensive structural damage from Hurricane Ida. Five years of neglect have resulted in a building that has become a safety hazard: the combination of advanced deterioration and a complete lack of lighting has turned it into a potential death trap.
A similar combination of electricity being cut off and the building's structure decaying led to a tragedy just two days after Ronin's arrest that ignited intense public alarm: while exploring the abandoned Plaza Tower in New Orleans, a 17-year-old boy fell to his death. This has led to a zero-tolerance crackdown, actively punishing creators who upload trespassing videos.
The Charges
The Plaza Tower tragedy has shown that exploring decaying buildings poses a danger to life and limb. With this in mind, it comes as no surprise that Ronin and Rick face severe legal consequences.
Stephen Pamaran was booked on one felony count of unauthorized entry of a business and one misdemeanor count of unlawful posting of criminal activity for notoriety or publicity. Under Louisiana law, the felony charge of unauthorized business entry carries a maximum sentence of up to six years in prison with or without hard labor.
Richard Matranga was released the day after his arrest on a $5,500 bond. Although he has not been sentenced yet, he faces similar charges. Both creators could be fined and spend up to 6 years in prison. However, as both have turned themselves in and do not have criminal records, they will likely negotiate plea deals.
Do you think the police were justified in taking such drastic measures, or are they crossing the line by aggressively targeting online creators? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
