By David L. Johnson
Introduction
The focus of this article is how top level Yolo County administrators, including the Office of the County Counsel, ignored illegal fireworks businesses on property owned by Sam and Tammy Machado in Esparto.
Based on a Public Records Act request, this author received a large collection of emails that document a series of negligent mistakes made by county employees. These emails are limited in number because of legal privilege and an ongoing investigation into the explosion and fatalities. However, of the numerous emails received by this author, not one county employee stated in writing to a representative of Sam Machado, or among themselves, that Yolo County passed an ordinance in 2001 banning the possession, storing or selling of dangerous fireworks – even when county employees knew there were fireworks stored at the site. More important, if the county had taken code enforcement action, the explosion, fire and fatalities would have never occurred.
The lack of action for code enforcement in regard to the Machado property also includes the Chief of the Esparto Fire Protection District, as documented in the March 26, 2026, report entitled “Yolo County Civil Grand Jury 2025-2026 Esparto Fireworks Explosion: Officials Knew, None Acted.”
As stated in the Grand Jury report:
“In the evening of July 1, 2025, massive explosions obliterated a family farm located at the northwest corner of County Roads 23 and 86A in Esparto. This incident, commonly known as the Esparto Fireworks Explosion, claimed the lives of seven workers….The explosion leveled the site and ignited what was named the Oakdale Fire, which expanded to 78 acres including nearby properties….Seven employees of a company called Devastating Pyrotechnics were killed instantly….”
The county’s lack of action ultimately led to the tragic deaths of:
Name Age
Jesus Manaces Ramos – 18
Angel Mathew Voller – 18
Jhony Ernesto Ramos – 22
Joel “Junior” Jeremias Melendez – 28
Neil Justin Li – 41
Carlos Javier Rodriguez-Mora – 43
Christopher Goltiao Bocog – 45
The victims included three brothers – Jesus Ramos, Jhony Ramos, and their eldest stepbrother Joel Melendez.
The First Red Flags
The first hint that something was amiss at Sam and Tammy Machado’s agriculture-zoned property in Esparto occurred on August 27, 2021, when Stephanie Cormier, a Principal Planner for the County of Yolo, received an email from Craig Cutright.
The subject of Cutright’s email – “Firework Storage” should have set off alarm bells. Cutright wanted to purchase 40 acres from the Machados and store fireworks on the property as part of his business plan.
Cutright wrote:
“The small blocks (on an attached map) represent the connex (sic) containers I use to store fireworks. They are all 8’x40’…”
(Aconex box is a corrugated steel shipping and storage container.)
The obvious problem was a May 17, 2001, Yolo County ordinance (“Chapter 2 Fireworks”) that made it illegal to possess, store or sell dangerous fireworks in unincorporated areas of the county. “Dangerous fireworks” include, as defined, large-scale explosives and aerial shells among other items.
For unknown reasons, Cormier’s reply to Cutright did not mention the 2001 county ordinance banning fireworks. Instead, Cormier wrote:
“Hi Craig, A couple of questions! What kind of oversight does the Esparto Fire District have, i.e., requirements/restrictions? Would you build the home first before bringing in the connex boxes? Thanks, Stephanie”.
On September 1, 2021, Cutright sent a second email to Cormier stating:
“I submitted the same site I provided to you to the Esparto Fire to get their feedback. Curtis Lawrence, who is the current Fire Chief, has no issues with the presence of product at that location, and feels it is totally defensible in a wildfire situation.” (Author’s emphasis)
Curtis Lawrence, Chief of the Esparto Fire Protection District, did not mention, according to Cutright, the Yolo County ordinance about the illegality of dangerous fireworks in unincorporated areas of the county.
Craig Cutright’s business plan did not go as envisioned. He wasn’t able to buy the Machado’s 40 acres, but he did establish his business, Blackstar Fireworks, on Machado’s property, contrary to county law. After the July 1, 2025, Esparto explosion, fire and seven deaths, Craig A. Cutright was arrested on April 9, 2026, on 12 felony counts for illegal activities with explosives.
Soon after the July 1, 2025, explosion, a warrant was issued by the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office to search Fire Chief Lawrence’s home, office and vehicles as part of the investigation of the explosion.
As investigators soon learned, Craig Cutright was a volunteer firefighter for the Esparto Fire Protection District and had previously worked with Chief Lawrence on fireworks displays. In retrospect, this intertwining of Cutright and Chief Lawrence coupled with ineptitude of Yolo County administrators set the stage for a horrific disaster that killed seven workers.
Another Red Flag
The second warning to top County of Yolo administrators was more serious. On June 2, 2022, Scott Doolittle, a professional civil engineer and Chief Building Official of Yolo County, sent Leslie Lindbo, Chief Assistant Director of Community Services, an email with a startling revelation:
“I just want to give you an alert that I will be heading out to a site for a meter release this afternoon. Why is this news? I received a tip that the site is being used to run a pyrotechnics business. Sheriff deputies, potentially including deputies that we work with, are reported to be involved in the business. They are using an ag exempt building plus 25 Conex boxes for the operation. I am going to meet Angelina out there for the meter release inspection to gather more information and verify the reports, but I will tread lightly today. Then we can discuss how to proceed.” (Author’s emphasis)
On the same day, June 2, 2022, Scott Doolittle sent a second email to county administrators with a significant subject line: “Pyrotechnics Business”:
From: Scott Doolittle
To: Dawne Koranda; Moushumi Hasan Cc: Angelina Espinoza; Stephanie Cormier
Subject: Pyrotechnics Business
Date: Thursday, June 2, 2022 2:58:40 PM
Attachments: IMG_3229.jp
On parcel 049-170-030 there appear to be at least two businesses. Moushumi, based on the information below please let Dawne know if you have additional regulations that should be included in a code enforcement letter.
1) A 4,500 sf ag exempt barn has an unpermitted truck dock and they attempted to permit a 200 amp service for the building. These features are not consistent with the ag exempt ordinance or the agreement signed by the owner Sam Machado as part of the ag exempt application. At this visit, the structure was empty other than a few shopping cart sized items.
2) A pyrotechnics “home occ” (per the occupant, I don’t see a license) in which 25 Conex shipping containers are placed in a long row and used to store the fireworks used for large municipal fireworks displays. The occupant stated the containers are currently empty. I did not verify that statement. For Building:CBC 105.1: A permit is required for the structures.CBC 414.3: Submit a report describing the quantities, uses, and methods of protection for the proposed hazardous materials. The report must indicate the occupancy classification consistent with CBC 307.
Thanks,
Scott Doolittle, P.E. Chief Building Official
(Author’s emphasis)
The following is an email from Scott Doolittle on June 3, 2022, to other county officials confirming that Esparto Fire District Chief Curtis Lawrence knew about the pyrotechnic business on Machado’s property, even though that operation was illegal by the county’s own code:
From: Scott Doolittle
To: Moushumi Hasan; Dawne Koranda Cc: Angelina Espinoza; Stephanie Cormier; Leslie Lindbo
Subject: Re: Pyrotechnics Business
Date: Friday, June 3, 2022 7:34:35 PM
As an update, I was able to talk to the fire chief, Curtis Lawrence, and he confirmed that the pyrotechnic business is licensed through the federal ATF. We will still be reaching out to get local regulations, but I expect cooperation from the pyro business. Curtis also said the 25 grouped containers are “safe and sane” fireworks and act as a distribution center, whereas the other smaller groups of containers are the ones that contain the more dangerous materials and they appear to meet fire separation requirements, but I need to verify. Any operations involving repackaging or processing the materials is done outdoors to simplify the regulations they need to meet for their ATF license.
Scott Doolittle Chief Building Official
In emails received by this author from a Public Records Act request, Scott Doolittle never mentioned the Yolo County ordinance banning explosives and fireworks – and neither did any of the county employees Doolittle sent emails to.
In the following email, Scott Doolittle is clearly concerned about the 200 amp electrical service panel which was contrary to a county ordinance and Machado’s signed agreement with the county. At the end of his email, Doolittle raises a red flag warning to county staff.
From: Scott Doolittle
To: Elizabeth Cass; Mariah Marsan; Marlin Nardiello Cc: Angelica Yepez
Subject: Electrical Service Permits
Date: Wednesday, June 1, 2022 3:47:00 PM
Attachments: BP2022-0477 Site Plan.pdfBP2022-0477 APP.pdf
Hello,
When reviewing an application for an electrical service, it is important to understand where they are trying to supply power. While most services are not a big deal because they are serving an ag well or an existing permitted structure, it is important to be vigilant for cases like this one. Always determine what will be served. If it is not serving a permitted structure or well, then ask an experienced tech, inspector, or me if the location is eligible for a service before issuing the permit.
This electrical service application for BP2022-0477 is proposing to provide a 200 amp service to an ag exempt structure. Ag exempt structures are only allowed a very limited power supply and this is our first indicator that the use in the building is not consistent with an ag exempt structure. It is a red flag that should be raised as soon as possible.
Thanks,
Scott Doolittle, P.E.Chief Building Official
(Author’s emphasis)
Despite Doolittle’s concern about Machado’s building, five days later, the wheels begin to turn in the wrong direction. Even though the building has a 200 amp electrical panel, contrary to county code and not necessary for agricultural use, which would point to suspicious business activities given the existing fireworks businesses, Doolittle oddly reverses himself, without any logical explanation, and hints in an email that “this building would not serve the pyro operation”:
From: Scott Doolittle
To: Stephanie Cormier
Subject: RE: Builiding Permit BP2021-1028 AG Exempt Structure
Date: Monday, June 6, 2022 1:48:00 PM
….All indications are that there are two separate operations out there and this building would not serve the pyro operation. I’m curious to see what this submittal will be and I will make sure Planning is alerted to take a close look at it. Scott
(author’s emphasis)
The Emails Stop – Is It a Cover-Up?
Property owner Sam Machado had hired Matthew Soderer to work with Yolo County to obtain a permit for the AG exempt building with the illegal 200 amp electrical panel on the Machado property.
Here is Soderer’s email from June 6, 2022, immediately after Scott Doolittle discovered fireworks on Machado’s property. Soderer speciously attempts to explain the need for the stronger electrical box – knowing the 200 amps are contrary to county code.
From: Matt Soderer
Sent: Monday, June 6, 2022 11:40 AM
To: Scott Doolittle ; Stephanie Cormier
Subject: Builiding Permit BP2021-1028 AG Exempt Structure
Hello Scott and Stephanie
My client who owns the property at 26450 Co. Rd. 23 understands the guidelines required to construct an AG Exempt building on his property and he agreed to the terms and conditions signing the declaration that was required. He instructed me to make certain all aspects of the building are done to meet the building codes so should he wish to change the use of the building later, he’d have to option to provide more engineering details, pay additional review and inspection fees to get the building fully permitted.
Acknowledging the electrical service limitations for an AG Exempt building, I still set up my electrician to install a service panel sized so should we change building use and get fully permitted, the panel would be sized properly and not need to be replaced. Same with the service line from PG&E let’s do it once and not twice.
What I thought was good logical intent has now backfired and our panel won’t be accepted due to it exceeding the AG Exempt limitations. I thought I’d be OK with the oversized panel if the installed circuits meet the AG exempt criteria for electrical. Client has now tasked me with finding out and reporting back to him what would be required of us at this point to just take a sharp turn in the road and apply for full permitting.
He does not want me to undo the electrical work that’s done but would rather get it permitted and move on. 1. What steps would I be required to complete to fully permit the new building? 2. What would I budget (roughly) for additional permitting and inspection fees? 3. With the building basically completed, what kind of timeline might we be facing to get fully permitted once I provide you the information you require. I will follow up with you Scott, or whomever you suggest with a phone call but thought I’d provide you with our current intent first in written form so we’re on the same page.
Sincerely Matthew Soderer
(Author’s emphasis)
Between June 6, 2022, and August 23, 2022, there are five emails between Matthew Soderer, Scott Doolittle and other county employees and then nothing. The emails stop.
The result was that Yolo County took no code enforcement for the illegal 200 amp panel, the unpermitted truck dock for the existing building and the fact that two businesses were conducting illegal activities with explosives and fireworks, some even black market.
To date, Scott Doolittle, Chief Building Official, is still employed by Yolo County and Chief Curtis Lawrence is still employed by the Esparto Fire Protection District.
Aftermath and a Key Mystery
Below is the official title of the grand jury report on the Esparto explosion and fatalities:
Yolo County Civil Grand Jury
2025-2026
Esparto Fireworks Explosion
Officials Knew, None Acted
March 26, 2026
Here is what the grand jury wrote in regard to Yolo County employees:
Public records indicate that various top Yolo County officials were aware of illegal fireworks operations at the site for at least three years prior to the incident. Inexplicably, no code enforcement occurred, even though all dangerous fireworks had been banned by ordinance throughout rural Yolo County since 2001. In the absence of official oversight and enforcement, unmitigated expansion of the fireworks businesses operating at the site in Esparto led directly to death and destruction from the Esparto Fireworks Explosion.
According to the grand jury report, nine separate county offices knew about “illegal fireworks businesses at the site.”
There is at least one key and perplexing mystery still left to uncover. The grand jury report stated that the Office of the County Counsel had “knowledge of illegal fireworks businesses operating at the site before the explosion” but did not take any action.
The grand jury report provides no additional information about this issue. As background, the County Counsel acts as the primary legal advisor for the County and the Board of Supervisors. Based on an Internet search, the office includes 10 attorneys and two administrative staff.
Most persons would agree that it is simply incomprehensible that a public-agency attorney who knew about a dangerous and illegal activity would refuse to act.
The question arises: Are Yolo County attorneys who knew about the illegal businesses on the Machado property still employed by the county?
Persons Arrested
A total of eight persons have been arrested because of the Esparto fireworks explosion. They are:
Samuel Elmo Machado, property owner – 26 total charges, including seven counts of second-degree murder, and conspiracy to commit crimes, illegal possession and manufacturing of a destructive device without a permit and possession of explosives near private habitations and public roadways. Machado was a Lieutenant with the Yolo County Sheriff’s office for about 25 years before he resigned on April 17, 2026.
Kenneth Kin Chee, CEO, Devastating Pyrotechnics LLC – Seven counts of second- degree murder and multiple counts of illegal possession, transportation, and manufacture of explosive devices. Chee was a previously convicted felon.
Jack Ying Lee & Douglas Michael Tollefsen, operations and product managers, Devastating Pyrotechnics – Seven counts of second-degree murder, multiple charges of conspiracy and possession and manufacturing of destructive devices,
Gary Y. Chan Jr.,associate of Kenneth Chee, Devastating Pyrotechnics LLC – Seven counts of second-degree murder, multiple counts of conspiracy and illegal possession of explosives and manufacturing a destructive device,
Craig Allen Cutright, owner of Blackstar Fireworks – multiple counts of illegal possession and transportation of explosives, conspiracy, and possessing explosive materials near private habitations,
Tammy Kiku Machado, property owner – Five criminal counts including child endangerment, mortgage fraud, false tax return, and animal cruelty,
Ronald John Botelho III, employee of Blackstar Fireworks and Craig Cutright –conspiracy and reckless possession of explosives charges.
Families File $35 Million Claim
On December 22, 2025, a claim for $35 million was filed against Yolo County, specific employees of Yolo County including Scott Doolittle, Leslie Lindbo and Moustumi Hasan (name as spelled in the claim); Esparto Fire Protection District including Curtis Lawrence; Office of the State Fire Marshall including Daniel Berlant; Yolo County Sheriff Office including Tom Lopez; among many others, including the two fireworks companies and other persons who were arrested including Sam Machado.
The claim was filed by family members of the seven employees killed in the explosion and fire. The five-member Yolo County Board of Supervisors did not respond to the complaint within the 45-day statutory window, which will lead in all probability to a lawsuit.
The family’s 2025 claim stated:
The entire incident was preventable. The property was a public nuisance, violated county ordinances, state law, state regulations and was the result of negligence, failure to follow statutes, violations of mandatory duties imposed by statute and intentional acts of multiple parties, hereinafter including the Governmental entities herein which includes the State of California, Office of the State Fire Marshall, Yolo County, Esparto Fire Protection District an entity controlled by Yolo County and numerous other individual defendants.
For 20 years, Davis resident David L. Johnson was manager of legislation and public information for a state agency in Sacramento. Now retired, he works from time to time as a freelance journalist on issues of public interest.
Davisite 
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