ESPARTO, CALIFORNIA — Seven people have been arrested on charges including murder in connection with a fireworks warehouse explosion on July 1, 2025, near the small farming community of Esparto in Yolo County, California, that killed seven and injured two others. The explosion at the 5,000-square-foot warehouse, located about 40 miles northwest of Sacramento, also ignited a large fire and led to the cancellation of nearby Fourth of July celebrations.

Samuel Machado, a lieutenant with the Yolo County Sheriff's Office at the time of the explosion, and his wife Tammy Machado, a non-sworn administrative employee with the same agency, were among those arrested. The couple owned the warehouse where Devastating Pyrotechnics had been storing illegal fireworks. Both were placed on leave from their positions after the incident.

Samuel Machado faces 26 charges, including murder, illegal possession of explosives, and reckless possession of an explosive device. Prosecutors allege he allowed more than 1 million pounds of illegal fireworks to be stored in the warehouse.

"Samuel Machado's participation included using his role as a trusted lieutenant to help shield the conspiracy as it expanded, and the expansion was significant." Yolo County Deputy District Attorney Clara Nabity also said, "This is not a case just about fireworks."

Tammy Machado faces multiple charges including mortgage fraud and child endangerment for storing illicit explosives near a family pool. She has posted bail following her arrest.

Kenneth Chee, the owner of Devastating Pyrotechnics, was arrested in Florida. Chee appeared in a Florida courtroom and was told he would be extradited to California within the week. Jack Lee, the operations manager for the company, was also arrested, along with Gary Chan Jr., whose name is on the firm's federal license.

Craig Cutright, the owner of Blackstar Fireworks, which operated at the Esparto property, was arrested as well. Cutright was a volunteer firefighter for the Esparto Fire District and was also listed as an employee of Devastating Pyrotechnics. Ronald Botelho III, an employee of Cutright, had been in custody since December, and more than a dozen new charges were filed against Botelho on Thursday.

All seven people who died in the explosion were employees of Devastating Pyrotechnics. The victims were identified as Jesús Ramos, 18; Jhony Ramos, 22; Joel "Junior" Melendez, 28; Carlos Rodriguez-Mora, 43; Angel Mathew Voller, 18; Christopher Bocog, 45; and Neil Li, 41.