As influencer incomes grow, so does the attention of tax authorities.
Two arrests in the span of three months have placed the YouTuber back in the public spotlight.
Detwiler Denies Wrongdoing
Cody Detwiler, also known as WhistlinDiesel on YouTube, was arrested on January 25. The content creator is reportedly facing legal trouble related to tax issues. However, he was released again roughly 50 minutes after his arrest. According to Detwiler, the case involves approximately $30,000 in unpaid taxes. The legal dispute originates from a vehicle that was registered in Montana but later destroyed in another state. This can become an issue because tax authorities may determine that taxes are owed in the state where the vehicle was primarily used rather than where it was registered.
In an Instagram post regarding his arrest, he said:
“This is because they didn’t send me a letter saying I owed any tax and instead formed a 3 year long case for just 2 cars registered in Montana that were destroyed in other states.”
He continued:
“They did not give me any notice or any opportunity to pay any tax.”
This clash with law enforcement marks the second time he has had trouble with the law in the past three months.
Repeated Arrests In An Ongoing Case
This is not Detwiler’s first recent encounter with law enforcement. Just 74 days prior to the latest incident, he was arrested on the same tax-related charges. He was also released a few hours later in that case, after a bond of $2 million was set.
The situation illustrates that tax authorities are not a matter to be taken lightly. Once irregularities are suspected, investigations can quickly broaden in scope. Influencers in particular are increasingly coming under scrutiny, as their earnings continue to grow and attract greater attention from authorities. In the end, the message is clear: don’t mess with the tax authorities.
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