Influencer Alex Choi Faces Federal Charges For YouTube Stint Using Fireworks; Served Arrest Warrant

Posted: June 9, 2024

YouTube personality Alex Choi is currently facing federal charges following the release of a video that depicts two women firing fireworks from a helicopter at a Lamborghini, sparking a criminal complaint and an arrest warrant against the influencer. With a substantial following of nearly 1 million subscribers on YouTube, Alex Choi has garnered attention for his car-focused content, but the recent video has landed him in legal trouble.

The controversial video, filmed in June 2023, features a dramatic and chaotic firework display as two women shoot firework cannons from a helicopter towards a Lamborghini, orchestrated by Alex Choi with the aid of hired helicopter pilots and drone operators. The footage, reminiscent of a scene from the popular video game Grand Theft Auto (GTA), has led to federal charges being brought against Alex Choi for “causing the placement of an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft.”

While Alex Choi did not physically discharge the fireworks, the complaint asserts that there is “probable cause” to believe that he orchestrated the crime, as he openly admitted to being the mastermind behind the GTA-style video. Investigators utilized tire marks from the drifting Lamborghini to ascertain that the video was filmed on a section of the El Mirage Dry Lakebed in California, which falls under Federal Property jurisdiction.

The video, spanning approximately 10 minutes and 45 seconds, depicts various dramatic scenes, including a segment where a female and male impersonating police officers discuss pursuing a speeding individual. Subsequently, the female is shown boarding a helicopter, followed by footage of two females aboard the airborne helicopter discharging fireworks at the Lamborghini sportscar.

In response to the hazardous nature of the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has revoked the license of the helicopter pilot involved in the video, citing concerns about the altitude at which the helicopter was flying and the hazards posed by the discharge of fireworks from the aircraft.

As the legal proceedings unfold, Alex Choi has refrained from commenting on the situation following the filing of the complaint. This development follows the recent case of another YouTuber, Gixxer Brah, who pleaded guilty to charges related to a viral video depicting him riding a motorcycle at speeds exceeding 150 MPH, signaling a growing trend of legal repercussions within the YouTube creator community.