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Three Arrested in Deadly Esparto Fireworks Explosion Case

A planned indictment announcement signals a turn from safety probes to criminal prosecution.

Overview

  • Jail records show Samuel Machado, Tammy Machado, and Craig Cutright were arrested and booked, with Tammy Machado posting bail and the others remaining in custody.
  • The Yolo County district attorney plans to announce indictments, and officials have not yet released the specific criminal charges.
  • The Machados own the Yolo County property where unpermitted fireworks were stored and where the July 1, 2025 explosions killed seven workers at Devastating Pyrotechnics.
  • Both Machados work for the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office and were placed on leave after the blast, while Cutright owns Blackstar Fireworks, was listed as a Devastating Pyrotechnics employee, and serves as a volunteer Esparto firefighter.
  • A civil grand jury said county leaders knew for years about the illegal fireworks operations and did not enforce codes, while state investigators revoked pyrotechnics licenses and CAL/OSHA issued more than $200,000 in fines tied to safety violations.