Youtuber Craig Hendry tasted freedom for the first time in 2026 earlier this month when he posted bond from the Vermillion County, Indiana, jail while he awaits his August trial for a felony charge of Intimidation: Threat to commit a forcible felony and a misdemeanor charge of Battery that he picked up while previously in the Vermillion County jail last year.
Hendry was quietly released from custody on July 14, 2026, after posting $300.00 in bond, following a hearing in his case the day before. His next court appearance date is listed as December 14, 2026, yet he still is listed to face a jury trial for the charges on August 11, 2026.
Unlike other YouTubers, Hendry’s release came with no announcement or video on YouTube celebrating his release or promising a federal lawsuit against authorities. As of this afternoon, both his Hendry and Craig Hendry channels on YouTube make no mention of his release nor provide any updates on his post detention life.
Hendry had been one of the more vocal disciples of Jose “Chille” DeCastro’s teaching methods in the past few years. With outspoken livestreams and videos populating his channel along with federal lawsuits against police that would eventually go nowhere.
With his family’s apparent backing, Hendry would return to doing first amendment audits even in between releases from one sentencing while awaiting jail time in another case. During those times, Hendry complained that as a convicted felon it was almost impossible to find a job and all he could do was audit on YouTube to make money.
Hendry’s decisions have robbed him of time with his small children, including a daughter who is nearly two years old and has seen her father incarcerated for most of her young life.
Hendry’s latest stint in jail came after he had been released last year from a term in Greene County, Indiana and awaiting trial in Sullivan County, Indiana. Vermillion County pressed new charges against him, negating his bond in Sullivan County.
He remained in Sullivan County until he took a plea deal in May, where he pleaded guilty to a single charge of Misdemeanor Intimidation: Committed because of the occupation, etc. He was credited for time served for the majority of his sentence and was transferred to Vermillion County when his term ended.
Hendry’s bond came as a surprise to many while his silence since making bond has surprised many more. It’s unclear if his silence is due to release conditions or if he is voluntarily avoiding the first amendment auditing lifestyle until at least his next trial.
It is also unclear whether or not Hendry has arranged a plea deal in his existing Vermillion County case. A hearing was held that resulted in his release on bond, though no mention was made of a plea deal.
Hendry is still appealing his Greene County Conviction, despite serving time for the conviction. That case has had no new updates since early June.
This is a developing news story.
