Man arrested at Disney World faces 7 murder charges

Kenneth Chee, owner of Devastating Pyrotechnics, is one of seven people arrested in connection with the 2025 Esparto fireworks tragedy.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:41pm

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An extreme close-up of a charred and twisted metal fragment, conceptually representing the physical evidence from the Esparto fireworks explosion that is now the focus of a criminal investigation.The grim physical evidence from the Esparto fireworks tragedy exposes the need for tighter industry regulations and oversight.Esparto Today

One of the seven people arrested in connection with the 2025 Esparto fireworks tragedy, Kenneth Chee, appeared in a Florida courtroom hours ahead of Yolo County's district attorney announcing formal indictments. Chee, the owner of Devastating Pyrotechnics, is facing multiple charges, including seven counts of murder and one count of conspiracy.

Why it matters

The Esparto fireworks tragedy, which resulted in multiple deaths, has raised questions about safety regulations and oversight of the fireworks industry. The arrests of the seven individuals connected to the incident, including company owners and local officials, are expected to shed more light on the circumstances leading up to the deadly explosions.

The details

Kenneth Chee, 48, was arrested at Disney World and is one of seven people arrested for the July 1 series of explosions at a facility found to have been illegally storing fireworks. Chee is the owner of Devastating Pyrotechnics, one of two fireworks companies operating at the facility in Esparto. The other company, Blackstar Fireworks, was owned by 61-year-old Craig Cutright, who is also among the seven in custody. The facility where both companies operated was opened by Samuel Machado and his wife Tammy, both of whom worked at the Yolo County Sheriff's Office and were also arrested.

  • Kenneth Chee appeared in an Orange County courtroom in Florida hours ahead of the Yolo County district attorney announcing formal indictments.
  • The Yolo County district attorney is expected to announce the indictments for those arrested at 11 a.m. on Friday.

The players

Kenneth Chee

The 48-year-old owner of Devastating Pyrotechnics, one of the two fireworks companies operating at the facility in Esparto where the deadly explosions occurred.

Craig Cutright

The 61-year-old owner of Blackstar Fireworks, the other fireworks company operating at the Esparto facility. He was also listed as an employee of Devastating Pyrotechnics.

Samuel Machado

The person who opened the facility in Esparto where the fireworks companies operated. He and his wife Tammy, who also worked at the Yolo County Sheriff's Office, were arrested in connection with the explosions.

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What they’re saying

“Kenneth Chee acknowledged that he is being held without bail and that he will meet with an extradition team in a week.”

— Kenneth Chee

What’s next

The Yolo County district attorney is expected to announce the indictments for those arrested at 11 a.m. on Friday.

The takeaway

The arrests of the seven individuals connected to the Esparto fireworks tragedy, including company owners and local officials, are a significant development in the investigation. The indictments and further legal proceedings will likely provide more insight into the circumstances that led to the deadly explosions and the potential safety and regulatory issues within the fireworks industry.