A popular YouTuber faces federal charges for a filmed stunt that saw two women shoot fireworks out of a helicopter at a Lamborghini.
Suk Min Choi, better known as Alex Choi, faces ten years in federal prison as a result, after he filmed the 'crazy stupid' stunt for his nearly one million subscribers to see.
The finished product was a high-budget display like something out of a Michael Bay movie, set to Miley Cyrus's 'Party in the USA'.
It saw the 24-year-old cuffed in California Wednesday, US prosecutors said, adding the FAA also revoked the helicopter pilot's license for flying under the altitudes required by law and failing to display the chopper's 'N' number.
He also created a hazard to persons or property, by 'operating the helicopter in a manner that was careless or reckless so as to endanger the life or property of another,' the complaint states.
Choi filmed the stunt last year to ring in the Fourth of July, in the Mojave Desert. He made an appearance in LA Superior Court Thursday, but has yet to be arraigned.
Suk Min Choi, better known as Alex Choi, faces federal charges for a filmed stunt that saw two women shoot fireworks out of a helicopter at a Lamborghini
The Michael Bay-esque scene was filmed above El Mirage lake in the Mojave Desert in what feds believe was June, to ring in the Fourth of July
'Suk Min Choi, 24, a.k.a. “Alex Choi,” of Studio City, is charged with one count of causing the placement of an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft,' a statement from the US Attorney's Office of the Central District of California said.
'He was arrested on Wednesday and his arraignment is expected in the coming weeks.
'According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, on July 4, 2023, Choi posted on his YouTube channel a video entitled, “Destroying a Lamborghini with Fireworks.”
'In the video, Choi allegedly presses a “fire missiles” button while two women are in a helicopter, shooting fireworks at a speeding Lamborghini sportscar.
'Law enforcement believes the video was shot on the El Mirage Dry Lakebed in San Bernardino County.'
The statement goes on to describe how investigators discerned that Choi was the one filming the footage, which was posted to YouTube but recently deleted.
After the dangerous lightshow,the video transitions to a behind-the-scenes look at how Choi shot the first third of the clip, during which the YouTuber allegedly made various references to himself coordinating the shoot.
Specifically, the video states that Choi directed it,feds said - before pointing to a clip whereChoi thanks a camera company for 'being a part of my crazy stupid ideas.'
The FAA revoked the helicopter pilot's license for flying under the altitudes required by law and failing to display the chopper's 'N' number, feds said. Pictured, one of the female participants in the stunt
The finished product was a high-budget display like something out of a Michael Bay movie, set to Miley Cyrus 's 'Party in the USA'
The 11-minute video, which stayed up for months, has since been removed from Choi's YouTube page
Titled 'Destroying a Lamborghini with Fireworks,' it shows the helicopter flying near the ground without filming permits, while two women shoot the explosives at the $300,000 sports car
Feds stated their belief that Choi committed the offense sometime in June 2023, during which he 'did not have a permit to film a shoot using fireworks on a helicopter'
They also wrote that he purchased the fireworks in Nevada before bringing them over state lines because they were illegal in California
YouTuber Alex Choi charged for allegedly filming two women shoot fireworks at a Lamborghini from a Helicopter. 😲‼️ pic.twitter.com/td1js3b6gy
— DramaAlert (@DramaAlert) June 6, 2024
During this portion of the video, Choi - known for car-related stunts online- also allegedly said he 'f**ked up at one point during the production process, 'because [he] forgot to tell my friend how to use a torch.'
Finally, the statement - along with an accompanying affidavit - mentioned how during the video, Choi appears to make the decision to end filming.
'[W]hen someone asked if they would film again, [Choi said], “No, that’s it. We’re out of fireworks, right?”' feds wrote.
In other parts of the video, Choi is seen standing next to the helicopter, holding what appears to be a firework.
Feds added their belief that Choi committed the offense sometime in June 2023, during which he 'did not have a permit to film a shoot using fireworks on a helicopter.'
They also wrote that he purchased the fireworks in Nevada before bringing them over state lines because they were illegal in California.
The 11-minute video, which stayed up for months, has since been removed from Choi's YouTube page.
Titled 'Destroying a Lamborghini with Fireworks,' it shows thehelicopter flying near the ground without filming permits, while two women shoot the explosives at the $300,000 sports car.
He is charged with 'causing the placement of an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft', with his arraignment set to come within the next few weeks. A date was not provided
If convicted, Choi - who promises viewers on his YouTube channel 'the greatest car shenanigans!' - could face up to 10 years in federal prison.
He charged with 'causing the placement of an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft.'
The United States Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Dominique Caamano of the Environmental Crimes and Consumer Protection Section is prosecuting this case.
Choi was scheduled to make his initial appearance at a Los Angeles court Thursday, with his arraignment to follow in the coming weeks.
