YouTuber Cody Detwiler, better known as WhistlinDiesel, is speaking out again following his recent arrest on felony tax evasion charges. This time, he’s offering a more pointed explanation regarding the circumstances surrounding the case.
The 27-year-old was arrested on November 12 in Williamson County, Tennessee, in connection with sales tax allegedly owed on a 2020 Ferrari F8. The car made headlines after it caught fire during one of Detwiler’s viral stunt videos.
### The Montana Registration Controversy
Detwiler says the charges stem from registering that Ferrari in Montana, a move he claims is common among luxury car owners and completely legal. In a series of Instagram Stories, the influencer expressed his belief that Tennessee officials are targeting him to send a message to others in the high-end car community.
“This entire thing is about registering my Ferrari F8 in Montana (the car that burned down),” he wrote. “Montana doesn’t require sales tax on vehicles.”
He claims the state is now trying to frame this action as criminal. “They have an angle that this is tax evasion,” he said, warning his followers: “Do not move your Montana registrations to TN. This is exactly what they want and why they are trying to go after me.”
### Authorities Making an Example
With more than 10 million subscribers, the YouTube star says authorities are trying to make an example out of him to crack down on similar registration tactics.
“They think it will make a wave through the luxury car community and bring in tax money,” he asserted.
Detwiler has maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal and revealed that he received no notice before his arrest. He also confirmed that he spent several hours in jail before posting bond. His first court appearance is scheduled for November 19.
### Viral Video, Court Dates, and Response
The Ferrari at the center of the controversy appeared in a now-viral YouTube video where Detwiler drove it through a cornfield before it caught fire, along with a nearby rental van.
“There goes half a million dollars,” he joked in the video. “I guess don’t drive in cornfields.”
Accompanying the video was a caption that read, “Won so big they thought I was cheating. (100% real, not AI).” In a follow-up statement, Detwiler said: “I have ALWAYS paid ALL of my taxes, and I’m still not sure what this is all for. I didn’t get a notice of any sort leading up to this.”
For now, he plans to keep fans updated as the case moves forward.
https://popcrush.com/ixp/204/p/whistlindiesel-explains-tax-evasion-charges-insists-targeted/
