Social Media Influencer Keith Castillo Slammed for Handing Out Machetes and Alcohol to Homeless People

Viral Stunt Sparks Outrage and Legal Questions

Social media influencer Keith Castillo, known online as @povwolfy, has gone viral for a controversial and potentially dangerous video series where he hands out 18-inch machetes, bottles of alcohol, and cigarettes to homeless individuals in multiple U.S. cities.

His series, titled “Keeping the Homeless in the Streets,” shows him filming “giveaways” to unhoused individuals while encouraging reactions that generate clicks, shares, and outrage.

Castillo, 29, from Corpus Christi, Texas, has filmed these videos in Austin, Little Rock, New Orleans, and other cities. He has announced plans to take the stunt to major hubs like Las Vegas, New York City, and Los Angeles’ Skid Row — some of the most vulnerable and heavily policed unhoused communities in America.

Despite widespread condemnation, Castillo has doubled down. When asked by the New York Post whether he felt responsible for the danger he could cause, he said:

“Honestly I really don't care bro, it's good for the clicks and views. Gotta do what we have to do so we eat.”

His original TikTok account has since been banned, according to multiple reports.

Critics say Castillo’s unapologetic attitude underscores the growing problem of shock-content creators who exploit marginalized communities for virality — with little regard for public safety or human dignity.

Weapons + Alcohol = A Cocktail for Disaster

Law-enforcement veterans and safety experts have condemned Castillo’s actions as both irresponsible and dangerous.

A retired NYPD sergeant called the combination of weapons and alcohol “a cocktail for disaster,” noting that handing out machetes to vulnerable individuals experiencing untreated trauma, mental illness, addiction, or instability dramatically increases the risk of injury, escalation, or fatal encounters.

This comes amid rising violence against the unhoused across the U.S., including attacks from the public and police encounters — meaning the introduction of large weapons in encampments can put everyone at risk.

Castillo Claims It’s All Legal — But Is It?

Castillo insists his actions are legal, claiming he checked with police in Corpus Christi about distributing machetes.

However:

• Police in other cities declined to comment or did not confirm his claims.

• Weapon possession laws vary widely by jurisdiction.

• Alcohol distribution to vulnerable individuals may violate local ordinances.

• Filming the unhoused for profit raises serious ethical and potential civil-rights concerns.

Experts argue that even if the actions do not violate specific weapon statutes, they may still expose Castillo to liability if any harm occurs as a result of his “giveaways.”

Exploitation Disguised as “Charity”

Across social media platforms, thousands have condemned Castillo’s actions as:

• Exploitative

• Predatory

• Dehumanizing

• Dangerous

• A violation of basic ethical standards

Many homeless advocates warn these types of stunts further stigmatize unhoused individuals, reinforcing harmful stereotypes that portray them as violent or unpredictable — while also drawing police attention to encampments.

Others point out that Castillo often encourages loud reactions or emotional responses from the unhoused people he films — which can coerce or manipulate vulnerable individuals into behavior meant for entertainment.

Influencer Culture and the Rise of “Danger Content”

Experts say Castillo’s behavior reflects a broader problem in the influencer economy:

Creators who:

✔ Exploit vulnerable populations

✔ Push legal and moral boundaries

✔ Prioritize shock value over ethics

✔ Post extreme content for virality

✔ Monetize suffering for engagement

Platforms often remove accounts only after harm is done — and viewers’ outrage is itself a monetizable asset.

Castillo has even teased future “giveaway tours,” signaling the stunt may escalate unless platforms, cities, or authorities intervene.

Legal Summary: Could Keith Castillo Face Charges?

While every city and state has its own laws, Castillo’s behavior raises several potential legal risks:

1. Liability for Injuries or Violence

If a machete he distributed is later used in:

• an assault

• a self-harm incident

• property destruction

• a violent encounter

he could face civil liability for negligence or “foreseeable harm.”

2. Contributing to Public Endangerment

Providing alcohol to individuals who are visibly intoxicated or vulnerable may violate local public-safety laws.

3. Weapons Distribution Issues

Many cities have ordinances restricting:

• blade length

• weapon possession in public spaces

• distribution of dangerous items

Crossing state lines to deliver weapons complicates this further.

4. Exploitation for Commercial Gain

Filming vulnerable individuals for monetized content can raise:

• privacy issues

• civil exploitation claims

• potential harassment or harmful-conduct violations

• platform policy violations

5. Disorderly Conduct or Public-Nuisance Claims

Local governments could take civil action if the stunts provoke disturbances or increase risk to the public.

Bottom Line

Keith Castillo’s video series is more than a controversial stunt — it is a dangerous example of how far influencer culture can go when virality is valued more than human safety. The combination of weapons, alcohol, vulnerable populations, filming for profit, and interstate travel raises serious ethical, safety, and legal questions. It feels like something really bad could result from this act.

Justice Watchdog will continue following developments as cities, platforms, advocates, and legal experts assess how to respond to content creators who put lives at risk for views.

Check out the Justice Watchdog guide about your rights when someone films you or tries to give you dangerous items.