Overview
- Five defendants appeared in Woodland on Monday, with no pleas entered as the judge moved their arraignments to Thursday and two defendants lost their private lawyers.
- Gary Chan Jr., recently transferred to Yolo County, made a brief appearance Tuesday, and his 16-count case was reset to Thursday, including seven alleged murders tied to the blast.
- Prosecutors filed an amended indictment Monday adding sentencing enhancements for Kenneth Chee, who was arrested at Walt Disney World and now awaits extradition from Florida.
- Five defendants face second-degree murder counts, and the indictment describes a decade-long illegal fireworks business that, prosecutors say, imported more than 11 million pounds over ten years and kept about 1 million pounds on site the day of the 2025 explosion.
- Sam Machado, a former sheriff’s lieutenant, is accused of using his position to shield the operation, and victims’ families filled the courtroom and urged accountability from the operators and county.