YouTube Star Charged with Tax Evasion After Burning a $400,000 Ferrari for Clicks
A YouTube star who was charged with tax evasion after buying a $400,000 Ferrari just to set it on fire has been barred from sharing certain details of his case as it progresses through the courts. Cody Detwiler, 27, purchased a 2020 Ferrari F8 Tributo in 2023 to use for a "durability test" on his WhistlinDiesel YouTube channel, which has 10.3 million subscribers. The viral stunt resulted in the car bursting into flames and being completely destroyed. Now, Detwiler is facing tax evasion charges in Williamson County Circuit Court, Tennessee. He denies the allegations. During a hearing this week, the YouTube star was admonished for discussing his legal case outside of court and potentially influencing a jury trial. Prosecutors alleged he made comments serving "no purpose but to inflame the passion of his followers" and that he had promoted conspiracy theories regarding his charges, The Tennessean reported. The title of the video in which Detwiler lashed out was: "They're Trying to Silence Me." It has been viewed more than 3.8 million times since being posted last Saturday. The online star could face one to six years in prison and a maximum fine of $3,000. Detwiler has about 10.3 million subscribers on his WhistlinDiesel YouTube channel. The video that sparked this attention shows the car being used for views and later destroyed, a pattern that has drawn scrutiny from authorities and fans alike. The case is unfolding in Tennessee’s Williamson County Circuit Court, and Detwiler maintains his innocence.
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Gag Order Battle and Courtroom Controversy
Prosecutors filed a motion for a gag order on November 24 that would prohibit the online star from "commenting on the case or its fact pattern in any fashion and from attempting to monetize his prosecution in any form." In a video published Saturday, Detwiler said the gag order prosecutors had proposed "would violate my First Amendment right" and was "actually insane." "Basically, everyone could side with me and I could bias the jury and it wouldn't make a fair trial for me against the state government," he said ironically. "It wouldn't be fair for them." Judge Deana C. Hood on Monday adjusted the proposed gag order to a limited one forbidding Detwiler from posting anything that is not public record. He must not make any comments which could influence a jury, disrupt the trial or put law enforcement or prosecutors at risk. Detwiler agreed that the tweak was "reasonable" and would maintain his freedom of speech. He noted that "people are rightfully angry" about his charges, although he urged supporters to not issue threats against anybody. The online star could face one to six years in prison and a maximum fine of $3,000 if he is found guilty. Detwiler had been selling T-shirts featuring his mugshot and indictment, but insisted he had not done anything wrong. "Anybody can access this," Detwiler said. "It was already public. All I did was draw a lot more attention to it." His indictment was sworn into Williamson County Courts on November 5, one week before his arrest. He bail was set at $20,000. Tax evasion charges – a Class E felony – were also placed against his WHISTLINDIESEL, LLC business. The indictment specified that Detwiler was accused of evading state taxes on his 2020 Ferrari F8 Tributo. The Ferrari in the viral star's videos had a Montana license plate, indicating it had been registered in that state. Doing so is a popular loophole among supercar purchasers because of Montana's no sales tax on vehicles. In Tennessee, the sales tax is seven percent, which additional local or county taxes could raise to around ten percent. That would have added about $40,000 to the Ferrari's price. In a YouTube video published on November 22, Detwiler wrote that he had been "arrested for something I had no clue about". Detwiler's now–destroyed Ferrari appeared in three videos on his WhistlinDiesel channel. The vehicle was pushed past its limit, which is typical for his viral YouTube videos. In one of the uploads, which has more than 7.1 million views, Detwiler drifts with the sports car on dirt roads, saws one of the mirrors off, sits on the hood as he fishes, drives around with a capybara in the vehicle's front seat and pelts the windows with fruit and rocks. The last video featuring the car was titled "The Fastest Way to Lose Half a Million Dollars. My Ferrari is Gone." Detwiler was captured driving his Ferrari through a dry cornfield, which caused the highly flammable husks to seemingly make their way into the car's wheels and engine. This set the car ablaze with Detwiler still behind the wheel. The fire quickly became uncontrollable as the Internet star and a companion vacated the vehicle. That video has garnered more than 16 million views. Detwiler had taken to YouTube to discuss his tax evasion case, which the Williamson County district attorney's office attempted to quash. The YouTube star admitted he had been selling T-shirts featuring his mugshot and indictment. A gag order was seeking to forbid him from talking about his ongoing legal case. In a prior video published November 22, the YouTube star claimed he had been "arrested for something I had no clue about." He said he had not been given a letter or a notice until he was taken into custody. In the video, Detwiler showed what he claimed was a "clean" Montana title to his $400,000 Ferrari. He called out prosecutors for targeting him for "this country is in a desperate position" and said the entire situation angered him. The Daily Mail has reached out to Detwiler for comment.
Three Viral Videos End in a Blaze as the Ferrari Is Destroyed
Detwiler’s now-destroyed Ferrari appeared in three videos on his WhistlinDiesel channel. The vehicle was pushed past its limit, which is typical for his viral YouTube videos. In one of the uploads, which has more than 7.1 million views, Detwiler drifts with the sports car on dirt roads, saws one of the mirrors off, sits on the hood as he fishes, drives around with a capybara in the vehicle's front seat and pelts the windows with fruit and rocks. The last video featuring the car was titled "The Fastest Way to Lose Half a Million Dollars. My Ferrari is Gone." Detwiler was captured driving his Ferrari through a dry cornfield, which caused the highly flammable husks to seemingly make their way into the car's wheels and engine. This set the car ablaze with Detwiler still behind the wheel. The fire quickly became uncontrollable as the Internet star and a companion vacated the vehicle. That video has garnered more than 16 million views. The Days leading up to the blaze also saw Detwiler take to YouTube to discuss his tax evasion case, with the Williamson County district attorney's office attempting to quash the discussion. The video that escalated attention even featured his mugshot on T-shirts he said were available for sale; he noted, "Anybody can access this. It was already public. All I did was draw a lot more attention to it." That post's notoriety amplified the case's tension and public scrutiny. The Ferrari’s dramatic destruction became a defining moment in Detwiler’s online narrative, attracting millions of views and triggering strong reactions online.
Indictment Details, Montana Plate and Tax Facts
Detwiler’s indictment swore in Williamson County Courts on November 5, one week before his arrest. He made bail set at $20,000. Tax evasion charges – a Class E felony – were also placed against his WHISTLINDIESEL, LLC business. The indictment specified that Detwiler was accused of evading state taxes on his 2020 Ferrari F8 Tributo. The Ferrari in the viral star's videos had a Montana license plate, indicating it had been registered in that state. Doing so is a popular loophole among supercar purchasers because of Montana's no sales tax on vehicles. In Tennessee, the sales tax is seven percent, which, in addition to local or county taxes, could raise the total to around ten percent. That would have added about $40,000 to the Ferrari's price. In a YouTube video published on November 22, Detwiler wrote that he had been "arrested for something I had no clue about." Detwiler's now-destroyed Ferrari appeared in three videos on his WhistlinDiesel channel. The vehicle was pushed past its limit, which is typical for his viral YouTube videos. The last video featuring the car was titled "The Fastest Way to Lose Half a Million Dollars. My Ferrari is Gone." The Daily Mail has reached out to Detwiler for comment.
