A former Yolo County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant is among five people charged with murder following a fireworks warehouse explosion that killed seven workers in Esparto, California, last summer, authorities said.
Samuel Machado is accused of illegally storing 1 million pounds of fireworks on his property and allegedly using his position with the Sheriff’s Office to shield the operation from scrutiny for years, according to the Yolo County district attorney’s office. Machado was placed on administrative leave after the explosion on July 1, which residents felt up to 20 miles away and sparked a 78-acre grass fire.
Devastating Pyrotechnics LLC and Blackstar Fireworks, Inc. Are accused of manufacturing and storing explosives on Machado’s property. Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig announced a 30-count felony indictment against seven people connected to the blast, calling it the largest investigation in his two decades in office. A separate five-count indictment was filed against Machado’s wife.
The most serious charges are seven counts of second-degree murder – one for each worker who died in the explosion. An investigative report by a Yolo County civil grand jury found that county authorities were aware of the illegal operation for at least three years prior to the explosion but failed to take action. A county official received a tip in June 2022 but was advised to “tread lightly” due to the property owner’s affiliation with the Sheriff’s Office.
In addition to Machado, Kenneth Chee, owner of Devastating Pyrotechnics, Jack Lee, the company’s operations manager, Gary Chan Jr. and Douglas Tollefsen of Blackstar Fireworks, Inc. Were also charged with murder. Machado’s wife, Tammy, who worked in an administrative position at the Sheriff’s Office, faces charges of child and animal endangerment, tax fraud, and mortgage fraud.
The indictment alleges a decade-long conspiracy that transformed Machado’s property into a hub for illegal explosives, according to Yolo County Deputy District Attorney Clara Nabity. Devastating Pyrotechnics allegedly expanded from 13 storage containers in 2015 to over 50 containers and a 5,000-square-foot warehouse by 2025, importing more than 11 million pounds of explosives without proper licensing.
Seven people were arrested Thursday in connection with the explosion, including Craig Cutright, owner of Blackstar Fireworks, and Ronald Botelho III, who was already in custody on separate charges. Kenneth Chee was arrested in Orlando, Florida, at Disney World.
The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned Monday. Chee and another defendant arrested outside the county will be arraigned after being transferred to local custody.
The seven workers who died in the explosion were identified as Christopher Goltiao Bocog, 45, and Neil Justin Li, 41, both of San Francisco; Joel Jeremias Melendez, 28, of Sacramento; Carlos Javier Rodriguez-Mora, 43, of San Andreas; brothers Jesus Manaces Ramos, 18, and Jhony Ernesto Ramos, 22, of San Pablo; and Angel Mathew Voller, 18, of Stockton.
The families of the victims have filed a $35-million claim against the county and state fireworks regulators, alleging widespread negligence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Samuel Machado?
Samuel Machado is a former Yolo County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant who is accused of illegally storing 1 million pounds of fireworks on his property and using his position to shield the operation from scrutiny.
What charges are the defendants facing?
The most serious charges are seven counts of second-degree murder, one for each worker who died in the explosion. Other charges include having a dangerous workplace, unlawfully causing a fire, insurance fraud, child endangerment, animal cruelty, tax fraud, and possession of illegal assault weapons.
When did authorities first become aware of the illegal operation?
A Yolo County Building Services Department official received a tip in June 2022 that the property was being used by two pyrotechnics businesses, but no code enforcement occurred despite the tip.
Given the scale of this alleged operation and the tragic loss of life, what steps might be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future?
