Former Sheriff’s Lieutenant Among Five Charged With Murder in Deadly Esparto Fireworks Explosion

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 10:26:00 +0200

A former Yolo County Sheriff’s lieutenant, Samuel Machado, has been charged with seven counts of second-degree murder and several other serious offenses after a fireworks explosion killed seven warehouse workers in Esparto, California, in July 2025. Prosecutors allege that over the course of a decade, Machado allowed millions of pounds of illegal fireworks to be stored on his rural property by two pyrotechnic companies, Devastating Pyrotechnics LLC and Blackstar Fireworks Inc. Authorities say Machado used his law enforcement position to protect the operation from inspection and enforcement, despite a local ordinance banning dangerous fireworks since 2001.

Investigators found that county officials had received tips about the illegal storage as early as 2022 but failed to act, citing concerns about the property belonging to deputies. The July 1 explosion destroyed a nearby farm, sparked a 78-acre fire, and was felt up to 20 miles away. The Yolo County district attorney announced a sweep