A Studio City man’s love for explosives and viral YouTube content has landed him in hot water. Suk Min Choi, 24, a.k.a. “Alex Choi,” is facing a 10-year prison sentence after being accused of causing fireworks to be shot from an in-flight helicopter in a video he directed for his YouTube channel.
According to a federal complaint filed by the Justice Department, Choi allegedly coordinated the shoot on July 4, 2023, at the El Mirage Dry Lakebed in San Bernardino County. The video, titled “Destroying a Lamborghini with Fireworks,” shows two women in a helicopter repeatedly shooting fireworks at a speeding Lamborghini sportscar.
Choi’s involvement in the video is clear, with the defendant making references to himself coordinating the shoot and thanking a camera company for “being a part of my crazy stupid ideas.” The video also shows Choi next to the helicopter, holding what appears to be a firework, according to the affidavit.
Law enforcement believes that Choi committed the offense sometime in June 2023, without having a permit to film a shoot using fireworks on a helicopter. He allegedly purchased the fireworks in Nevada because they were illegal in California.
Choi’s arraignment is expected in the coming weeks, and if convicted, he faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. 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. A complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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