Stephen Pamaran, the 33-year-old Massachusetts creator better known as Steve Ronin, walked into Kenner Police headquarters on August 13 and turned himself in. Authorities had been looking for him over a video that showed him inside the long-shuttered Esplanade Mall.
Local sources such as NOLA.com, WDSU, and FOX8, using information provided by the Kenner Police, give a brief summary of this story. Pamaran is charged with felony of unauthorized entry into a business and misdemeanor of unlawful publishing of criminal activities to seek fame or publicity. The felony can be punished with a prison term of six years and a $1,000 fine according to Louisiana state laws. The misdemeanor has the maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $500 fine.
The video dropped in September 2025. Roughly an hour long and linked mainly to fellow creator RangerRickTV’s channel, it racked up hundreds of thousands of views. In it, the pair moves through empty storefronts at the Kenner mall, which closed its main interior after Hurricane Ida in 2021. RangerRickTV calls it his “childhood mall.” They appear careful to stay out of sight of the still-open Target next door. Police got an anonymous tip in late June 2026, identified the two men, and secured warrants. Pamaran surrendered. A warrant for RangerRickTV remains active; he has not been located.
The Kenner police chief, Keith Conley, has referred to the shopping center as an “attractive nuisance,” which he considers to be the biggest blight issue for the city. Police officers have reported over 100 trespassing cases as well as numerous arrests made from this building since 2022. The building belongs to the private owner despite its vacant state and poor condition collapsing roof sections, sinkholes, ceilings collapsing. Conley says that the videos of exploring the building on social media give rise to copycats and can really harm people.
Pamaran’s attorney, Barry Ranshi, issued a short statement:
“The Constitution is not à la carte. The same Constitution that protects our fundamental freedoms guarantees every person the right to counsel and due process. We respect the judiciary, the rule of law and the legal process.”
This case sits right at the messy intersection of viral urbex content, clout, private property rights, and public safety. Creators film inside abandoned spots for views. Police treat the footage as evidence. Louisiana’s posting statute, tightened in recent years, targets exactly that kind of “for notoriety” distribution. Whether the video ultimately helps or hurts in court is still ahead. For now, Pamaran is charged, RangerRickTV is still being sought, and the Esplanade Mall remains off-limits private property with real structural dangers attached.
