Summary (tl;dr)

Cody Detwiler, widely known as YouTube personality WhistlinDiesel, was arrested in Tennessee on felony tax evasion charges related to the sales tax owed on a 2020 Ferrari F8 Tributo that he famously destroyed in a video. He has since been released on a $200,000 bond.

Essential Background

WhistlinDiesel, whose real name is Cody Detwiler, is a prominent YouTuber with over 10 million subscribers, known for his extreme automotive content that often involves performing stunts and destroying expensive vehicles. In early 2023, Detwiler purchased a 2020 Ferrari F8 Tributo, explicitly stating he intended "just to destroy it." The supercar later caught fire in a cornfield during a video shoot in August 2023 and was seen bearing Montana license plates, a method some use to potentially avoid sales tax in their home state. Detwiler has a history of controversial incidents, including a previously staged arrest in 2022, which initially led some to doubt the authenticity of recent reports.

The Full Story

Cody Detwiler was arrested on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, in Williamson County, Tennessee, on charges of tax evasion. The indictment against Detwiler and his company, WhistlinDiesel LLC, alleges two felony counts of attempting to evade state sales tax amounting to $500 or more on the purchase of the Ferrari F8 Tributo. Following his arrest, Detwiler was booked into the Williamson County Jail in Franklin, Tennessee, and was subsequently released on the same day after posting a $200,000 bond. His mugshot and details of his arrest rapidly went viral across social media platforms, and Detwiler himself confirmed the incident via an Instagram post.

Why It Matters

This incident is trending due to Detwiler's considerable online following and the sensational nature of the charges, which involve a luxury car he intentionally destroyed. The case brings increased scrutiny to the financial practices of high-profile online content creators, particularly regarding tax obligations on significant purchases. The use of Montana plates for vehicle registration, often associated with sales tax avoidance, has added to the public discussion surrounding the legality and ethics of such practices. Given Detwiler's history of staged controversial events, the confirmation of a real arrest has garnered significant attention and concern among his fanbase and the wider internet community.

Geographic Location

• Williamson County, Tennessee, United States (where the arrest occurred and indictment was filed)
• Franklin, Williamson County, Tennessee, United States (location of Williamson County Jail)
• Montana, United States (state where the Ferrari was allegedly registered to evade sales tax)