A popular YouTuber has been arrested and is facing federal charges after he allegedly directed a video last year of fireworks being set off at a Lamborghini from a helicopter in the desert outside Los Angeles.
The Justice Department alleges that Suk Min Choi, 24, of Los Angeles, known as “Alex Choi,” directed a video titled “Destroying a Lamborghini with Fireworks,” which shows two women in a helicopter repeatedly setting off fireworks at a luxury car in San Bernardino County.
The helicopter was flying close to the ground and without the necessary permission, prosecutors said. Video footage showed Choi pressing the “launch missile” button as the women opened fire on the sports car, they said Thursday.
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Federal prosecutors say YouTube celebrity Alex Choi directed a video that showed fireworks being shot from a helicopter at a Lamborghini sports car. (Ministry of Justice)
“After filming what appears to be a live-action rendition of a fictional video game scene, the video cuts to behind-the-scenes footage showing how Choi filmed the first third of the video. During this portion of the video, Choi mentions multiple times that he was coordinating the filming,” the Justice Department said in a press release.
In the video, Choi thanked the camera company for “helping with my stupid idea.” He also said the group he helped make the film “failed badly” because they “forgot to teach my friend how to use a flashlight,” according to authorities.
Authorities said Choi, who has 924,000 subscribers on YouTube and 1.2 million on Instagram, stopped filming after being asked if he wanted to film again.
“Yes, that’s right. No more fireworks, eh?” he reportedly replied.
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Two women are seen setting off fireworks from a helicopter. (Ministry of Justice)
Choi is charged with causing the placement of an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft.
The 11-minute video, which has not yet been posted to his social media accounts, appears to show a helicopter pursuing a speeding vehicle while firing fireworks in its direction.
Authorities believe the footage was filmed at the El Mirage Lakebed around June 2023. Prosecutors said Choi never obtained any permits, including Federal Aviation Administration approval, for the filming and purchased fireworks in Nevada, which are illegal in California.
A screenshot with the caption “Directed by Alex Choi.” (Ministry of Justice)
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If convicted, Choi faces 10 years in federal prison.
