SACRAMENTO, Caif. — A criminal grand jury in Yolo County is investigating the fireworks explosion in Esparto that killed seven workers nine months ago, shortly before the Fourth of July.

Although grand jury actions are conducted in secret, sources with knowledge of the group’s activities — but not authorized to talk about them — said it was scrutinizing possible criminal behavior related to the deadly explosion.

Those sources said it had interviewed experts and witnesses, including Yolo County Chief Building Official Scott Doolittle and Esparto District Fire Chief Curtis Lawrence.

Criminal grand juries in California are authorized to bring indictments and conduct criminal investigations.

Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig said he could not confirm the existence of a grand jury. Criminal grand juries are approved by a judge, and their existence and proceedings remain secret until any indictments are returned.

“What I can say is that this is the most complex and involved investigation in the history of Yolo County,” Reisig said in a phone interview.

“I have great sympathy for the families of victims who are anxious that those responsible be brought to justice,” Reisig said. “It’s no secret that I asked the attorney general to take over this case. That didn’t work out. We’re committed to seeing this investigation through. It’s already taken us well beyond Yolo County.”

The ongoing investigation, led by Reisig, is sprawling, involving dozens of search warrants and arrests in Los Angeles County and Crescent City aimed at piercing the black-market world of fireworks that fueled the blast.

“As a matter of policy, the County does not comment on or confirm details related to potential law enforcement investigations,” county spokesperson Laura Galindo said, “including search warrants or grand jury proceedings.”

The Yolo County District Attorney had obtained a search warrant in August to search Lawrence’s home and vehicles and to seize his electronic devices. The search extended to the Esparto Fire Protection District station and Lawrence’s office there.

“At this time, the investigation into Esparto is ongoing,” said Alexandria A. Corneiro, public information officer for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. “We wouldn’t be able to provide information on an ongoing investigation.”

What was Doolittle’s connection?

Doolittle was involved with the facility prior to the explosion.

Emails obtained by The Sacramento Bee through a public records request show the building inspector and planning department became concerned about a warehouse on Yolo County Deputy Sheriff Sam Machado’s property in June 2022 after it had already been built and was seeking sign-off on its electrical service.

Doolittle wrote to Director of Community Development Leslie Lindbo raising concerns.

“I received a tip that the site is being used to run a pyrotechnics business. Sheriff’s deputies, potentially including deputies that we work with, are reported to be involved in the business,” Doolittle wrote.

Doolittle questioned whether the warehouse — ultimately packed with explosive fireworks that sparked the fire — would be used to store farm equipment and almonds.

After telling Lindbo he would visit the site, he added: “I will tread lightly today. Then we can discuss how to proceed.”

Lindbo responded: “Oh my!! Keep me posted.”

Doolittle later told Lindbo that Lawrence had explained that 25 containers held “safe and sane” fireworks and the facility functioned as a distribution center, while smaller groups of containers held the more dangerous materials and appeared to meet fire separation requirements.

“I was able to talk to the fire chief, Curtis Lawrence, and he confirmed that the pyrotechnic business is licensed through the federal ATF,” Doolittle wrote. “We will still be reaching out to get local regulations, but I expect cooperation from the pyro business.

Devastating Pyrotechnics held some state and federal licenses, but it did not have a license to process or manufacture fireworks or to sell consumer fireworks in California. Emails also show that the county’s hazardous waste coordinator had determined that a fireworks company would be required to submit a detailed hazardous materials plan and undergo an inspection. Neither occurred.

Asked why the county did not follow up on its initial concern about the fireworks operation, Galindo said: “With the passage of time, recollections are no longer clear and staff are unable to answer this question.”

She noted that the county had one code enforcement officer and a backlog of complaints.

A spokesperson for the Office of the State Fire Marshal — the division of Cal Fire that regulates fireworks in California — said she was not aware that either Doolittle or Lawrence had contacted them with questions about the Esparto fireworks operation prior to July 1, 2025, the date of the explosion.

“The OSFM is here to assist local fire agencies with any concerns about fireworks companies,” said Kayla Washington, Cal Fire spokeswoman. “Local fire agencies have access to the OSFM Duty Officer line, which is staffed 24 hours a day, where they can request assistance.”

Why a grand jury

Former Sacramento District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, who is not connected to the investigation, spoke in general terms about why a grand jury would be impaneled to investigate such a matter.

She said a prosecutor had many reasons to ask a judge to impanel a grand jury rather than pursue charges directly.

“With a grand jury, you have the right to subpoena people, so you might be doing it as an investigatory tool,” Schubert said. “It’s an opportunity to bring people before a grand jury to conduct an examination when witnesses could be reluctant.”

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