Apr 10, 2026
(FOX40.COM) — The Yolo County District Attorney’s Office announced that they have filed charges against suspects in connection with a deadly fireworks warehouse explosion that killed seven people last year. The DA's office did not publicly identify those charged but said it plans to formally a nnounce the indictments on Friday morning. FOX40 spoke to the Monroe Detention Center, which confirmed the arrest of Samuel Machado, who owns the property on which the facility was located, and Craig Cutright, who is the producer of shows for Devastating Pyrotechnics. The Machados are on paid administrative leave from their jobs with the Yolo County Sheriff's Office, where Samuel is a lieutenant and Tammy works in the legal department. Officials said Samuel is facing 26 charges, including seven counts of murder, one count of child cruelty, and one count of animal cruelty. Machado's other charges are: Two counts of conspiracy to commit crimes Two counts of possession of an explosive illegally Two counts of conspiracy to commit crimes One count of making a destructive device without a permit One count of possession of a destructive device One count of possession of an explosive in a public place One count of causing fire on a structure or forestland One count of willful cruelty to a child One count of cruelty to animals Four counts of possession of an assault weapon Two counts of making false representations with a perjury declaration One additional unspecified count Authorities reported that Cutright is facing 12 charges, four counts of conspiracy to commit crimes and two counts of possession of illegal explosives. Cutright's other charges are: One count of making a destructive device without a permit One count of possession of a destructive device One count of possession of explosives in a public place Two counts of giving explosives to a person without a permit One additional unspecified count The Yolo County Jail records showed that Samuel Machado's wife, Tammy Machado, was arrested and has since bonded out. Among the others who were arrested, Orange County Jail records in Florida showed that Kenneth Chee, 48, the owner of Devastating Pyrotechnics, located in San Francisco, was arrested by the Orange County Sheriff's Office. The records confirmed that Chee is being charged with one count of murder, two counts of conspiracy, and three counts of possession of explosives, among other charges. Smoke and flames rise during a fireworks warehouse explosion near Esparto, Calif., Tuesday, July 1, 2025. (Kent Porter/The Press Democrat via AP) Last month, a report by the Yolo County Civil Grand Jury found that multiple agencies, including the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office and local fire officials, had known for years about the illegal operation but failed to take action. The report also stated that although the warehouse had been inspected, violations were overlooked in part because it was owned by several sheriff’s deputies. The explosion occurred on July 1 in the rural community of Esparto, where a series of blasts ignited a fire that burned approximately 78 acres, according to officials. The coroner's office said all seven people were killed instantly due to the "multiple blasts and thermal injuries"; the manner of the death has been marked as “accidental”, and the time interval was “immediate”. The victims were identified as: Angel Mathew Voller, 18, of Stockton Carlos Javier Rodriguez-Mora, 41, of San Andreas Neil Justin Li, 41, of San Francisco Joel Jeremias Melendez, 28, of Sacramento Christopher Goltiao Bocog, 45, of San Francisco Jesus Manaces Ramos, 18, of San Pablo ...read more read less
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