YouTube star Cody Detwiler, better known as WhistlinDiesel, was arrested Wednesday in Williamson County, Tennessee, on allegations of sales tax evasion tied to his now-infamous Ferrari F8 Tributo. And yes, this time it’s not a prank, a stunt, or an internet performance. It’s a real case, backed by a filed indictment and a confirmed jail booking.
What the Indictment Says
According to the Tennessee circuit court indictment, Detwiler “unlawfully and willfully attempted” to evade more than $500 in sales tax due on his purchase of a 2020 Ferrari F8 Tributo. The amount may seem small next to the car’s roughly $400,000 price tag, but Tennessee law treats any intentional evasion above $500 as a criminal offense.
The Ferrari in question is almost certainly the bright red F8 featured in several of Detwiler’s videos—most notably the one where he plowed the car through a cornfield before it erupted in flames. Those clips, along with earlier “durability tests” where he used the supercar for farm chores, have collectively pulled in more than 44 million views.
Montana Plates and a Common Supercar Loophole
Viewers may remember the Ferrari wearing Montana plates at the time it burned. That detail isn’t random. For years, high-end car owners have used Montana LLCs to register exotic vehicles in a state with no sales tax, hoping to sidestep taxes owed in their home states. The practice sits in a legal gray area, but states like California, Colorado, and Tennessee have cracked down on it.
If the state proves Detwiler intentionally dodged Tennessee sales tax by registering the Ferrari elsewhere, the case could become a high-profile example of how aggressively states are pursuing these loopholes.
Mugshot Goes Viral, Bond Set at $2 Million
Detwiler’s arrest made waves almost instantly. His mugshot spread across social platforms Thursday alongside reports of a $2 million bond. He was released soon after, and true to form, he posted photos and video of officers escorting him away in handcuffs.
“Won so big they thought I was cheating. (100% real not AI),” he wrote on Instagram, leaning into the spectacle while insisting the arrest wasn’t fabricated.
This Time, It’s Not a Stunt
The distinction matters because WhistlinDiesel has staged an arrest before. In 2022, he collaborated with a Georgia sheriff’s office to film a fake takedown designed to “break the internet.” That video sparked backlash for blurring the line between entertainment and law enforcement authority.
This situation appears entirely different. A staff member in the booking department at the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Detwiler “was most definitely here” on Wednesday, and his name appeared on the official inmate roster.
What Happens Next
Now out on bond, Detwiler will have to appear in Tennessee court to face the tax-evasion charge. If convicted, he could face significant fines or even jail time, though the actual penalty will depend on how prosecutors choose to pursue the case.
For a creator who built a career on destruction, shock value, and bending expectations, this is one storyline he didn’t script. And while the internet loves his chaos, the state of Tennessee may not find it quite as entertaining.
