YouTuber Alex Choi Faces Federal Charges for Helicopter Fireworks Stunt on Lamborghini

Car enthusiast and popular YouTuber Alex Choi, known for his daring automotive stunts, has found himself in serious legal trouble. The 24-year-old South Korean influencer, who has a YouTube channel with over 900,000 subscribers and over a million Instagram followers, was charged by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on June 7. The charges stem from a dangerous stunt involving fireworks, a Lamborghini, and a helicopter, featured in a video that has since been removed from his channel.

The Stunt That Led to Legal Trouble

The controversial video, titled “Destroying a Lamborghini with Fireworks,” was originally uploaded in July 2023. The video showed two women firing a barrage of fireworks at a Lamborghini from a helicopter, a scene that resembled a video game sequence more than a real-life event. According to court documents, Choi meticulously planned the entire stunt, including acquiring fireworks from outside California, where they are banned.

The filming took place on the dry lakebed of El Mirage in San Bernardino County, a location that provided a dramatic but hazardous backdrop for the stunt. Choi was seen in the video pressing a button labeled “fire missiles,” which initiated the fireworks display from the helicopter, while the Lamborghini had Roman Candles attached to its back, creating a smoke trail effect.

Legal Consequences and Charges

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began investigating the incident shortly after the video was posted. In December, the FAA notified the Department of Transportation, and by January, they had revoked the license of the helicopter pilot involved in the stunt. According to court records, the helicopter took off from a California airport on June 27, 2023, indicating the date of the video shoot.

Alex Choi was arrested on June 5, following the FAA’s investigation. He is charged with the unauthorized use of explosive devices on an aircraft, a serious federal offense that could result in up to 10 years in prison if he is found guilty. He is scheduled to appear before the U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles this Thursday.

Potential Sentencing and Community Reaction

If convicted, Alex Choi faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. This severe penalty reflects the gravity of the charges, which involve significant risks to public safety and aviation security. The lack of medical personnel during the filming further underscores the reckless nature of the stunt.

Arrest warrant has been issued for Youtuber Alex Choi & is now facing criminal charges after he filmed 2 women shooting fireworks at a lamborghini. The FAA has already revoked the license of the pilot. pic.twitter.com/ScoG5TsgPW

— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) June 6, 2024

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Public and Legal Repercussions

The news of Choi’s arrest and the potential consequences have sent shockwaves through his fanbase and the broader community of car enthusiasts and YouTubers. Many are awaiting his court appearance to understand the full extent of the legal repercussions he might face. As of now, Choi has not made any public statements regarding the charges.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers and legal implications of performing and filming hazardous stunts, especially those involving unauthorized use of explosives and aircraft. It remains to be seen how this case will unfold and what impact it will have on Choi’s future as an influencer and content creator.

How’s this a crime what laws were broken? pic.twitter.com/awvQIKk3nm

— 4KT WHO YOU HATE (@royal_bobby24) June 6, 2024

Why is this even illegal

— CanTwo (@iCanTw2) June 6, 2024

Since when can the government tell people what to do with their own money when it doesn’t hurt anyone?

— Matt Fargolde (@Fargolde) June 6, 2024

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