Families of NorCal fireworks warehouse explosion victims say defendants 'have blood on their hands'
ESPARTO, Calif. (KGO) -- Six of the eight people indicted in connection with last year's deadly firework warehouse explosion in Yolo County returned to court Thursday. The July 1, 2025 blast killed seven people, including four who were from the Bay Area.
One of the defendants, a former Yolo County Sheriff's lieutenant, pleaded not guilty to charges. He owned the property in Esparto where the explosion happened on July 1, 2025. Other arraignments were once again pushed back until next week.
Relatives turned out to court, conveying the impact of losing their loved ones in the deadly explosion.
"They have blood on their hands. My older brother Jesus Ramos left a baby," said Janeli Ramos.
"My husband, Carlos Rodriguez, was taken from me in this horrible tragedy. The impact on our family is something we will carry forever," said Tiffany Mullen.
"Angel graduated in May. He turned in 18 in June. and then he died in July first," said father Matt Boller. "No one will understand what it feels like to lose a child until it happens."
"I lost my husband suddenly and violently and am now raising my two sons alone, especially with our 20-month-old having a recent autism diagnosis," said Maria Melendez.
MORE: 5 charged with murder in deadly Yolo County fireworks warehouse explosion
The victim's loved ones also pleaded with the judge to deny bail for the defendants.
"No one involved should be out to bail," said Boller. "They took advantage of the system. So, I ask that there be no bail for them."
Among the defendants that appeared in court was former Yolo County Sheriff's lieutenant and property owner Sam Machado. Machado is accused of storing more than 1 million pounds of fireworks on his property and using his status in the community to avoid attention.
Jack Lee, the owner and operations manager of San Francisco-based Devastating Pyrotechnics, also appeared.
Douglas Tollefsen, an associate of Devastating Pyrotechnics and Craig Cutright, a volunteer firefighter for Esparto Fire District and owner of Blackstar Fireworks, also went before the judge.
Machado, Lee, and Tollefsen face second-degree murder counts, conspiracy, and additional felony charges. The judge denied bail for these three defendants.
Cutright's bail was set at $500,000.
All four people are due back in court next Wednesday.
Two other defendants were scheduled to be arraigned Thursday -- Gary Chan Jr. and Tammy Machado.
Chan's arraignment was postponed.
Tammy Machado is an administrator in the sheriff's office. She was arraigned, pleaded not guilty and is out on bail.
The Founder and CEO of Devastating Pyrotechnics, 48-year-old Kenneth Chee, was arrested in Florida last Thursday. He faces seven counts of murder as well as conspiracy and will be extradited to California this week.
