YouTuber Alex Choi’s federal charge over a 2023 stunt video, in which fireworks were fired from a helicopter at a Lamborghini in the California desert, was dismissed with prejudice in July 2025 after he completed a pretrial diversion program. He had faced up to ten years in federal prison on a single count of causing the placement of an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft.
What Choi Was Charged With
Federal prosecutors filed a criminal complaint on June 4, 2024, charging Suk Min Choi, known online as Alex Choi, with one count under 49 U.S.C. § 46505(b)(3) and 18 U.S.C. § 2. The statute carries a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison.1ABC News. YouTuber Alex Choi Charged in Fireworks Helicopter Lamborghini Stunt
Section 46505 is aimed primarily at sabotage or bombing of aircraft. Applying it to someone who fired explosives out of an aircraft, rather than placing them onboard to destroy it, was an unusual use of the law.2Reason. California YouTuber Faces 10 Years for Having Too Much Fun With Fireworks
The Stunt That Triggered the Case
On June 27, 2023, Choi filmed a video titled “Destroying a Lamborghini with Fireworks” at the El Mirage Dry Lakebed in San Bernardino County. He drove the Lamborghini and pressed a “fire missiles” button while two women aboard a helicopter shot fireworks down at the car. Behind-the-scenes footage credited Choi as the director. He posted the roughly eleven-minute video to YouTube around July 4, 2023.1ABC News. YouTuber Alex Choi Charged in Fireworks Helicopter Lamborghini Stunt3NBC Los Angeles. Charges Dropped for YouTuber in Stunt Video Showing Fireworks Launched at Lamborghini From Helicopter
According to the federal complaint, Choi had no film permit for the dry lakebed, which is federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Prosecutors alleged that in text messages before the shoot, he acknowledged he would need to buy the fireworks in Nevada because they are illegal in California.1ABC News. YouTuber Alex Choi Charged in Fireworks Helicopter Lamborghini Stunt Authorities also noted that Choi lacked FAA approval and had no explosives license or permit from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.3NBC Los Angeles. Charges Dropped for YouTuber in Stunt Video Showing Fireworks Launched at Lamborghini From Helicopter
How the FAA and DOJ Built the Case
An FAA inspector saw the video online and reported it to the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General in December 2023. Investigators interviewed the helicopter pilot, who initially denied knowledge of unsafe activity but later admitted Choi had been involved in “unsafe activities.” Two drone operators present during the shoot told investigators there were no first responders on site and described the safety briefing as “spontaneous.”4NBC News. YouTuber Charged After Stunt With Fireworks Shot at Lamborghini From Flying Helicopter
In January 2024, the FAA issued an emergency order revoking the helicopter pilot’s private pilot certification, citing violations that included flying below 500 feet near people and failing to display proper aircraft registration.4NBC News. YouTuber Charged After Stunt With Fireworks Shot at Lamborghini From Flying Helicopter The stunt video was eventually removed from Choi’s social media accounts.
Arrest, Bond, and Plea
Choi was arrested on June 5, 2024, and appeared in court the next day. He was released on a $50,000 appearance bond and required to surrender his passport to U.S. Pretrial Services and refrain from applying for new travel documents while the case was pending.5CNN. YouTuber Alex Choi Charged in Firework Lamborghini Helicopter Stunt6CourtListener. United States v. Choi
At his post-indictment arraignment on July 2, 2024, Choi pleaded not guilty. The court set a jury trial for February 24, 2026.6CourtListener. United States v. Choi
How the Case Ended
The trial never happened. The U.S. Attorney’s Office entered into a pretrial diversion agreement with Choi. The specific conditions were not publicly disclosed. On July 3, 2025, the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office confirmed that Choi had complied with all conditions and removed him from supervision.3NBC Los Angeles. Charges Dropped for YouTuber in Stunt Video Showing Fireworks Launched at Lamborghini From Helicopter
On July 7, 2025, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark A. Williams filed a motion to dismiss the complaint with prejudice, meaning the charge cannot be refiled. U.S. District Judge André Birotte Jr. granted the dismissal, and the case was terminated on July 9, 2025.3NBC Los Angeles. Charges Dropped for YouTuber in Stunt Video Showing Fireworks Launched at Lamborghini From Helicopter7Orange County Register. Charge Dropped for Studio City Man Accused of Shooting Helicopter Fireworks in San Bernardino County
Others Involved in the Stunt
Choi was the only person publicly charged. The Department of Justice declined to say whether the helicopter pilot or the two women who fired the fireworks could face charges, and no additional defendants were ever publicly identified.1ABC News. YouTuber Alex Choi Charged in Fireworks Helicopter Lamborghini Stunt The pilot’s FAA certification revocation was an administrative action, not a criminal charge.