Federal officials have reported the arrest of a California man for allegedly shooting a large quantity of fireworks from a helicopter in-flight for a video he directed and shared on YouTube.
The video shows a white helicopter flying erratically above a desert landscape in San Bernardino County, California, circling a white Lamborghini sports car while launching what seems to be a massive amount of roman candle fireworks from the moving aircraft, simulating missile fire.
The video was posted on the YouTube account “Millionaire Motorsport” at least nine months ago, although the exact filming date remains unclear.
Millionaire Motorsport/ YouTube
The Department of Justice stated that Suk Min Choi, 24, of Studio City, was arrested on a federal criminal complaint for directing the video. Federal officials mentioned that two women were in the helicopter flying near the ground without permits.
Under the name “Alex Choi,” the man was scheduled to appear in a Los Angeles federal courtroom on Thursday afternoon, as per a statement from the Department of Justice.
An affidavit from last year indicated that Choi uploaded the video on YouTube, activating a “fire missiles” button while the two women in the helicopter fired the fireworks at the sports car.
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The investigation involves the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Officials believe the video was shot on the El Mirage Dry Lakebed in San Bernardino County, with a segment detailing Choi’s behind-the-scenes approach to filming the video.
Choi reportedly ended the video shoot when the fireworks ran out, stating, “No, that’s it. We’re out of fireworks, right?”
If convicted, Choi could face up to 10 years in federal prison.
