WOODLAND, Calif. — Authorities in Northern California announced Friday that seven individuals have been taken into custody in connection with a catastrophic fireworks warehouse explosion that claimed seven lives and left two others wounded last July.
The tragic blast occurred near Esparto, a small agricultural community in Yolo County, triggering an enormous fire that forced the cancellation of local Fourth of July festivities in the area.
Officials from the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office planned to reveal the indictments during a Friday press conference. Jail documentation indicates that multiple suspects face murder charges.
Among those apprehended are Samuel and Tammy Machado, the married couple who operated the storage facility located roughly 40 miles northwest of Sacramento. Samuel Machado served as a lieutenant with the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office, while his spouse Tammy held an administrative position with the department. Both were placed on administrative leave following the incident.
Kenneth Chee, who runs Devastating Pyrotechnics and whose unauthorized fireworks were housed at the facility, was taken into custody in Florida. During his Friday court appearance in Florida, Chee was informed he would be transported back to California within seven days, according to KCRA-TV.
Law enforcement also detained Jack Lee, who managed operations for Devastating Pyrotechnic, and Gary Chan Jr., whose name appears on the company’s federal licensing documents, the television outlet reported.
Craig Cutright, who operates Blackstar Fireworks from the Esparto location owned by the Machados, was also arrested. Cutright served as a volunteer with the Esparto Fire District and was additionally employed by Devastating Pyrotechnics, KCRA-TV stated.
Ronald Botelho III, one of Cutright’s workers, has remained in jail since December. Court records reveal that more than a dozen additional charges were filed against him on Thursday.
