YouTube star Cody Shane Detwiler, better known as WhistlinDiesel, has found himself in serious legal trouble, not because of another fiery stunt, but over alleged tax evasion.
On November 12, 2025, Tennessee authorities arrested Detwiler in Williamson County, charging him with two felony counts tied to the purchase of his now–infamous 2020 Ferrari F8 Tributo in January 2023, which went up in flames in a viral video. Once count is against Detwiler personally, and the other is against his company, WhistlinDiesel, LLC.
The indictment, filed November 5, accuses Detwiler and his company, WhistlinDiesel LLC, of “unlawfully and willfully” evading Tennessee sales tax of $500 or more on that Ferrari. Under Tennessee law, such evasion qualifies as a Class E felony.
The Ferrari at the center of this controversy featured in his August 2023 video titled “The fastest way to lose half a million Dollars. My Ferrari is gone,” where he watches the supercar burn in a field fire, the kind of shock content that made his channel famous. The Ferrari F8 Tributo typically costs at least $300,000.
What happened to WhistlinDiesel?
Prosecutors say part of the problem is how the car was registered: Detwiler reportedly used a Montana LLC, and the Ferrari carried Montana license plates. Montana is known for having no state sales tax on vehicles, whereas Tennessee’s rate is about 7%, plus local taxes. According to reports, Detwiler’s liability could be around $28,000 in unpaid state sales tax.
Police booked Detwiler into the Williamson County jail shortly after his arrest. He posted bond later that day. In a bold move, he documented his arrest on Instagram, sharing his mugshot, surveillance footage, and writing, “Yes I was arrested and it’s 100% real. 6 cops showed up at my door and said they had a warrant for ‘Tax Evasion.'”
At that time, Detwiler said authorities didn’t explain why or how or when the alleged crimes took place, “and I still don’t know.”
He added, “After the cops squeezing the handcuffs super tight I got taken to jail and spent a few hours there until my team bailed me out. I got a cell and everything 😂 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. There is a court date set and I will give active updates.”
Detwiler has built a massive following — over 10 million YouTube subscribers — by producing extreme automotive and demolition-style content. His videos often show exotic or expensive vehicles being subjected to outlandish durability tests, destroyed in crashes, crushed under his modified “Killdozer” bulldozer, or even reduced to ash.
Published: Nov 21, 2025 05:19 pm