YouTube star ProJared is accused of 'soliciting nude photos fans he knew were underage' after his estranged wife claimed he cheated on her and was emotionally abusive

  • YouTube personality Jared Knabenbauer, also known as ProJared, announced the end of his marriage to Heidi O'Farrell in a statement last Thursday night
  • O'Farrell hit back accusing her famous spouse of having a months-long affair with popular artist Holly Conrad 
  • She further claimed Knabenbauer emotionally abused her by lying about his infidelity and soliciting nude images from fans 
  • At least three of Knabenbauer's fans told The Daily Beast that his Tumblr account included explicit images and photos

The popular gamer who amassed more than 1.3million subscribers on YouTube and was accused of infidelity by his wife is now alleged to have solicited sexually explicit photos from his underage fans.

A Twitter user known by the handle ‘Chai’ alleges that 33-year-old Jared Knabenbauer, who is known to his fans as ProJared, ‘knew I was 16’ when he requested nude photos of him on Tumblr.

Chai alleges that the two even exchanged explicit photos.

‘We spoke sexually,’ Chai wrote on Twitter.

‘He sent me pictures of him in cosplay with his d*** very visible.

‘He told me details about his sexual life and fantasies.

‘Eventually, he sent me a d*** pick…We didn’t speak every day, but most.

‘I sent him many actual, real nudes.’

After Heidi O'Ferrall (left) accused estranged YouTube star husband Jared Knabenbauer (right) of infidelity and emotional abuse, more allegations surfaced against him, including from fans online who claim that he solicited nude photos from them knowing that they were underage

After Heidi O'Ferrall (left) accused estranged YouTube star husband Jared Knabenbauer (right) of infidelity and emotional abuse, more allegations surfaced against him, including from fans online who claim that he solicited nude photos from them knowing that they were underage

DailyMail.com has reached out to Knabenbauer for comment. 

Last week, he appeared to anticipate allegations of wrongdoing when he tweeted a statement which read in part: 'During this time you may see a lot of rumors, speculation and gossip going around. 

'I ask that you make your own observations and come to your own conclusions.'

Chai tweeted that Knabenbauer ‘knew I was a big fan of his, and that I was underage, and still continued to talk sexually to me.’

Another Twitter user who goes by the name ‘Charlie’ also posted allegations against Knabenbauer.

‘My friend, Chai, just came out and posted his story on Twitter so I figured I’d do the same,’ Charlie tweeted.

Charlie writes they were a ‘really, really big fan of ProJared’. Charlie claims they began communicating with him in 2016, when he or she was either 15 or 16 years old.

Charlie writes that they sent Knabenbauer nude photos, and that he answered by thanking them.

‘Thrilled by the acknowledgement and validation from someone whom I admired so much, I didn’t stop,’ Charlie writes.

Charlies then claims to have received an invitation to join a ‘secret’ blog known as ‘SinJared.’

‘On it, he posted nudes that his followers submitted to the blog and posted some of his own,’ Charlie wrote.

‘He encouraged me to submit some as well, but I wasn’t comfortable.’

Charlie and Chai said they spoke and compared their experiences with Knabenbauer.

They then said they wrote an email to NormalBoots, a gaming collective that counted Knabenbauer as one of its members.

NormalBoots provided a statement to The Verge confirming that it was made aware of the allegations against Knabenbauer last month.

‘On April 4, 2019, an unsolicited e-mail was sent to the NormalBoots business account containing allegations of inappropriate conduct pertaining to Jared Knabenbauer,’ the statement by NormalBoots read.

‘Upon receiving the e-mail, NormalBoots Manager, Jacque Khalil took immediate action to alert the appropriate parties, including Mr. Knabenbauer and the NormalBoots legal team, of the allegations.

‘No other members of NormalBoots were made aware of the allegations while the investigation into the allegations was ongoing.

O'Ferrall claims her husband was having an affair with popular artist and designer, Holly Conrad (pictured)

‘NormalBoots understands the seriousness of this situation and does not condone any of the alleged actions of Mr. Knabenbauer.

‘Prior to these allegations being made public, actions and measures were in process to terminate the affiliation of Mr. Knabenbauer from NormalBoots and to update its internal social media use policies.

‘Mr. Knabenbauer and NormalBoots have mutually agreed to part ways.

‘What drives NormalBoots is the energy of our supporters.

‘We care greatly about their protection and safety. It’s impossible to have a true community if all of us don’t feel safe, whether it’s in an online space or a convention.

‘We are fully committed to this goal and will not tolerate less.’

Another Twitter user known by the handle ‘Bren’ told The Daily Beast that Knabenbauer’s Tumblr account consisted of him answering ‘questions from fans, who he called “his sinners,” about his sexual life.’

‘He also made a lot of “send nudes” comments (on his public Tumblr too), which seemed like just a joke at first, but on SinJared he actually was asking for nudes, and encouraging fans to submit them,’ Bren told The Daily Beast.

‘He didn’t post all of the nudes he had submitted to him, as far as I know, and only posted them with permission.’

Asa, who got to know Knabenbauer’s online fan community through the game Asagao Academy: Normal Boots Club, also claims that Knabenbauer’s Tumblr account was filled with explicit content.

‘One of the chat members shared a link to us,’ Asa said.

‘This blog was full of fan submissions, including drawings and explicit photographs, and suggestive pictures from Jared himself.

‘He also would answer NSFW (not suitable for work) questions.

‘I was freshly 18, and I had absolutely no romantic or sexual experiences.

‘The thought of a famous person giving me personal attention was thrilling, so I messaged him privately.

After Knabenbauer announced their split, O'Ferrall retaliated by posting a storm of tweets

After Knabenbauer announced their split, O'Ferrall retaliated by posting a storm of tweets 

Heidi frequently featured in Jared's photos and videos, which were shared with his legion of followers

Heidi frequently featured in Jared's photos and videos, which were shared with his legion of followers

‘He responded back almost immediately, showing interest.

‘He asked if I was over 18, and I said yes, mentioning that my birthday was scarcely a few months prior.

‘He said that he was honored I would want to “use” my newfound legality with him.’

Asa said Knabenbauer requested that he draw sexually lewd drawings depicting Knabenbauer engaging in sex acts.

‘I drew it for him and sent it,’ Asa said.

‘We continued talking, me about how I wasn’t used to getting this kind of attention, and him thanking me for helping him (for lack of a better way of putting it) get off.’

Asa said it was ‘barely a secret’ that there were underage fans talking to the SinJared Tumblr.

‘I know a few of my friends had taken their ages off of their page so that Jared couldn’t verify that they were under 18,’ Asa said.

‘It was known quietly yet widely throughout the Asagao fandom that people could live out their fantasies that were spurred on by his route in the game by messaging Jared himself.’

The allegations against Knabenbauer initially came to light last week after his wife, popular cosplayer Heidi O’Ferrall, published a series of tweets accusing her husband of infidelity.

O'Ferrall also claimed Knabenbauer exchanged nude images with impressionable fans

O'Ferrall also claimed Knabenbauer exchanged nude images with impressionable fans

Knabenbauer released a statement saying that people may 'see a lot of rumors, speculation, and gossip going around'

Knabenbauer released a statement saying that people may 'see a lot of rumors, speculation, and gossip going around'

O'Ferrall accused Knabenbauer of 'gaslighting' her and of conducting a lengthy affair with popular artist, Holly Conrad.

'I recently learned that my husband @ProJared has been f**king @HollyConrad behind my back for months!' she wrote on Twitter.

'I have proof. Explicit conversations and photographs of their relationship, which he extensively lied to me about on many occasions.'

She later tweeted to Conrad directly, stating: 'Honestly @HollyConrad you look very ashamed and insecure in all the nudes you sent my husband.

'I think it would help your chronic self esteem issues if you started f**king men that weren't already married.'

O'Ferrall continued hitting out at her estranged husband, and then accuses him of soliciting explicit images from fans.

The drama began on Thursday evening, when Knabenbauer announced the end of his marriage to O'Ferrall in a statement shared on Twitter.

'My wife Heidi and I have filed for divorce. I know this may come as surprising and upsetting for many of you, but know that we do this so that we may both seek happiness for ourselves,' he wrote. 

Knabenbauer's social media accounts include a number of suggestive images

Knabenbauer's social media accounts include a number of suggestive images

Hours later, O'Ferrall took to Twitter claiming she was blindsided by the split announcement, and claimed that it was an attempt 'to silence her'.

'I gave him the opportunity to make a statement about his infidelity before I did. I told him it would be less embarrassing for him... He declined.'

In a subsequent stream of tweets, she accused Knabenbauer of mentally 'abusing' her, claiming he 'gaslit' her by denying his extramarital relations with Conrad.

She said that leaving the marriage was difficult as Knabenbauer 'had absolute financial and social control over me. I have been powerless by comparison.''

Knabenbauer, who is known for his comedic video game reviews, has not responded to his estranged wife's sensational claims.

Conrad has also not issued a public statement, and has now set her Twitter account to private.

Later, O'Ferrall went further, claiming that her famous former spouse exchanged nude images with impressionable fans.

'He has been soliciting nudes from his fans for years. I was there. In the beginning, it was a joke on (blog site) Tumblr,' O'Ferrall posted.

'It was ostensibly a body-positive space for consenting adults, and I approved on that basis.... [but] he started a Snapchat, for getting nudes from fans, without telling me. I found out via a fan comment. I felt pressured to allow it even though I was uncomfortable.' 

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YouTube star ProJared 'solicited nude photos from his underage fans online'

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