June 7th 2024.
A well-known YouTuber from Los Angeles has found himself in hot water with the law after allegedly orchestrating a dangerous stunt involving explosives. Suk Min Choi, also known as Alex Choi, was arrested by federal prosecutors on Wednesday and charged with causing an explosive device to be placed on an aircraft. The US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California released a statement on Thursday announcing the charges against the 24-year-old influencer.
According to an affidavit submitted with the criminal complaint, Choi, who boasts 923,000 followers on YouTube and 1.2 million on Instagram, posted a video titled "Destroying a Lamborghini with Fireworks" on July 4, 2023. The nearly 11-minute video, which has since been taken down from Choi's social media pages, shows two women shooting fireworks from a helicopter at a speeding Lamborghini. The footage appears to mimic a scene from a fictional video game, but then transitions to a behind-the-scenes look at how the stunt was coordinated.
The US Attorney's Office alleges that Choi can be heard in this portion of the video taking credit for organizing the shoot. It is believed that the footage was filmed in June 2023 at the El Mirage Dry Lakebed in San Bernardino County, California, which is owned by the federal government. The Bureau of Land Management provided photos of tire marks left behind by the Lamborghini, further supporting the authorities' claims.
In addition to the explosive charge, Choi is also accused of filming without the proper permits, including approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for the use of the helicopter. The affidavit also states that Choi traveled to Las Vegas to purchase the illegal fireworks used in the video. It is unclear at this time who will be representing Choi in court, as CNN has been unable to confirm his legal representation.
The video in question is just one of many on Choi's YouTube channel that feature flashy luxury sports cars. However, his most recent video was posted in December, and he has not been active on social media since his arrest. Choi made an initial appearance in court on Thursday and was released on a $50,000 bond. His arraignment is scheduled for July 2, and if convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.
Fortunately, no one was injured as a result of the stunt, according to Ciaran McEvoy, a spokesperson for the US Attorney's Office. The affidavit does not name anyone else involved in the video, and no other individuals have been charged in connection with the incident. It is a reminder of the potential dangers of attempting dangerous stunts for the sake of social media fame. Let this serve as a cautionary tale for others who may be tempted to put themselves and others at risk for the sake of online attention.
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