Cody Detwiler, a popular YouTuber with over 10 million subscribers, was arrested earlier this month on charges of tax evasion linked to his purchase of a $400,000 Ferrari, which he later destroyed in a video. Detwiler, known for his WhistlinDiesel channel, bought the 2020 Ferrari F8 Tributo in 2023 for a “durability test” series. Unfortunately, the tests led to the car catching fire and being entirely destroyed.
According to Williamson County Circuit Court documents, Detwiler is accused of “unlawfully and willfully” evading taxes owed to the State of Tennessee, amounting to over $500. Although the documents mention the Ferrari, they do not specify its appearance in Detwiler’s videos. The indictment, filed on November 5, came a week before Detwiler’s arrest. His bail was set at $20,000, and he faces a Class E felony charge, which carries a sentence of one to six years in prison and a fine of up to $3,000 if convicted.
In a series of Instagram posts, Detwiler discussed his arrest. His first post included his mugshot and an image of him being escorted by police, along with a caption saying, “Won so big they thought I was cheating. (100% real not AI).” This statement likely referenced a previous staged arrest for a 2022 video. The next day, Detwiler posted a video of himself in handcuffs, explaining his arrest. He stated he had never received any prior notice and was unsure why the tax evasion charges were filed. Detwiler emphasized his commitment to paying taxes and expressed confusion about the charges.
The incident occurred after Detwiler’s Ferrari was registered in Montana, a state without a sales tax on vehicles, potentially raising questions about tax evasion. In Tennessee, the sales tax on such an expensive car could add up to $40,000 in taxes. However, it remains unclear if this out-of-state registration is directly linked to the tax evasion charges.
Detwiler’s videos, which show him pushing the Ferrari to its limits, have drawn millions of views. In one of the most popular videos, which has garnered over 7 million views, Detwiler drifts the Ferrari on dirt roads, damages its mirrors, and performs various stunts. In the final video of the Ferrari’s destruction, Detwiler drives the car through a dry cornfield, where the car catches fire, ultimately leading to its destruction along with a rental van used by his team for filming.
The viral video showcasing the Ferrari’s fiery end has accumulated over 16 million views. While the tax evasion charges are serious, they highlight the controversial nature of Detwiler’s content and the high stakes involved in his extreme vehicle tests.
