Former Sheriff’s Lieutenant Charged After Deadly Fireworks Explosion
A former sheriff’s lieutenant from Northern California faces murder charges linked to a devastating explosion at an illegal fireworks factory on his property in 2025, which resulted in the deaths of seven workers.
Prosecutors allege that Samuel Machado, previously with the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office, had around a million pounds of fireworks at his location when the explosion occurred. They claim he used his law enforcement background to evade scrutiny regarding his unlawful activities.
Following the explosion, which occurred in Esparto, roughly 40 miles northwest of Sacramento, Machado took a leave of absence before resigning. The blast was reportedly felt up to 32 miles away and caused destruction to a farm, along with igniting a 78-acre grass fire.
Reports indicate that the operation was involved in producing fireworks so powerful they didn’t even meet the regular standards for such products. A recent grand jury indictment reveals that Blackstar Fireworks and another company, Devastating Pyrotechnics, stored dangerous explosives on Machado’s property.
Among the deceased workers were individuals from various locations, including San Francisco and Sacramento. The fatalities included Christopher Gortiao Bokog, 45; Neil Justin Lee, 41; and others, including two brothers, Jesus Manas Ramos and Johnny Ernesto Ramos, aged 18 and 22.
Local officials had received complaints back in 2022 about illegal activities on Machado’s property but did not act upon them. Correspondence suggested that they were hesitant to investigate closely because of Machado’s connections within law enforcement.
A Deputy District Attorney noted that the indictment suggests a decade-long scheme to operate an illegal business on Machado’s property, handling illicit explosives from the black market. Alongside Machado, several others have been charged, including the CEO and management team of the companies involved.
Overall, a total of seven individuals were indicted and arrested for their respective roles in the July 2025 explosion. Prosecutors assert that over 11 million pounds of explosives were imported, with a sizeable quantity stored in a warehouse near Machado’s residence during the incident.
Machado’s wife, who held a managerial role at the sheriff’s office at the time of the incident, faces separate charges for endangerment, related to the illicit fireworks stored near a residential pool.
In addition to murder charges, the indictment includes various other accusations, such as maintaining an unsafe workplace, insurance fraud, child endangerment, and tax evasion. Families of the victims have filed a $35 million lawsuit against county and state regulators, alleging negligence in overseeing the illegal operation.
