United States District Court for the Central District of California
Prosecutors provided screenshots of a video showing fireworks being aimed at the luxury sports car.
CNN
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A popular Los Angeles YouTuber is facing federal explosives charges after he oversaw video stunts that involved firing fireworks from a helicopter in the air and a speeding Lamborghini.
Suk Min Choi, 24, also known as Alex Choi, 24, was arrested Wednesday and charged with causing the placement of an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California announced in a press release Thursday.
Choi, who has 923,000 followers on YouTube and 1.2 million on Instagram, posted a video titled “Destroying a Lamborghini with Fireworks” on July 4, 2023, according to an affidavit filed in the criminal complaint.
The roughly 11-minute video, which is no longer on Choi’s social media pages, shows two women launching fireworks from a helicopter at a sports car, according to the affidavit.
“After filming what appears to be a live-action rendition of a fictional video game scene, the video transitions to behind-the-scenes footage showing how Choi filmed the first third of the video. During this portion of the video, Choi purportedly makes various references to coordinating the shoot himself,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Authorities believe the footage was captured on federal land in the El Mirage Dry Lakebed in San Bernardino County, California, in June 2023. According to prosecutors, the Bureau of Land Management provided photos of tire tracks left by the sports car.
Choi also allegedly lacked the proper permits needed to film in the area, including Federal Aviation Administration approval for a planned helicopter shoot, according to the affidavit.
Prosecutors also said Choi traveled to Las Vegas to buy fireworks because they are illegal in California.
CNN is attempting to identify Choi’s lawyer.
The affidavit did not name any other people involved in the video, and Ciaran McEvoy, a spokesman for the US Attorney’s Office, told CNN that no injuries were reported as a result of the action.
Choi’s YouTube channel has dozens of videos showcasing flashy luxury sports cars, with the most recent posted in December.
Choi made his first court appearance Thursday and was released on $50,000 bail, McEvoy said. Choi did not enter a plea. His arraignment is scheduled for July 2.
If convicted as charged, he faces up to 10 years in prison, according to prosecutors.
