District Attorney Hochman Discusses Charges in Explosives Cases, Vows Aggressive Enforcement Ahead of July 4
In one case, 75 tons (150,000 pounds) of mortar-style fireworks were seized from a Gardena storage unit
LOS ANGELES — As Independence Day approaches, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman is reminding residents of the devastating consequences of illegal fireworks and explosives, including the Office’s commitment to prosecute those who transport, sell and use these lethal devices.
On June 23, the Office’s Target Crimes Division filed charges against four individuals in Pasadena who were allegedly in possession of 8,500 pounds of illegal fireworks and explosives intended for distribution throughout Los Angeles County. In a different incident in South Los Angeles, four family members were charged on June 16 with possessing more than 5,000 pounds of fireworks in their home, putting children in danger. On June 21, 2024, an anonymous tip led detectives to a storage unit in Gardena and the recovery of 75 tons (150,000 pounds) of illegal mortar-style fireworks.
“Far too often, we have seen the destruction and deadly consequences of explosive devices that are illegally transported across state lines, sold in our communities and set off resulting in catastrophic explosions often killing innocent bystanders,” District Attorney Hochman said. “As Independence Day approaches, I want to remind our communities that celebrations with illegal fireworks and explosives are not harmless entertainment; these devices can kill people, causing devastating injuries and destroying entire neighborhoods. Recent tragedies in Los Angeles County are heartbreaking reminders of what can happen when these dangerous explosives are set off. To anyone who manufactures, supplies, distributes, stores or sells illegal fireworks: You are breaking the law, and my office stands ready to aggressively hold you accountable.”
Jonas Banuelos (dob 9/18/86), Adrian Salvador Banuelos (dob 8/7/93) and Michael Patrick Giron (dob 3/14/01) of Pico Rivera and Ricardo Alamillo Estrada (9/10/68) of Los Angeles were each charged with 10 felony counts of possession of explosives near a public place in case 26PDCF00575. On June 22, 2026, approximately 8,500 pounds of illegal commercial fireworks were seized from a storage facility in East Los Angeles. Also located at the facility were improvised explosive devices which appeared to be homemade. If convicted as charged, each faces 17 years and four months in county jail.
In case 26CJCF03680 out of South Los Angeles, Sylvia Sierra (dob 2/21/73), Oscar Falcon (dob 5/5/72), Emmitt Falcon (dob 9/17/95) and Jason Falcon (dob 10/29/96) all of South Los Angeles were each charged with one felony count each of possession of more than 5,000 pounds of fireworks. Sierra and Oscar Falcon were additionally charged with one felony count each of child abuse under circumstances likely to cause great bodily harm or death.
On May 27, 2026, authorities discovered over 37,000 pounds of commercially manufactured fireworks throughout the defendants’ residence including two accessory dwelling units and two storage sheds. A child also lived in the home. If convicted as charged, Sierra and Oscar Falcon each face six years and eight months in state prison, while Emmit Falcon and Jason Falcon face three years in county jail.
District Attorney Hochman warned that suppliers and distributors of illegal fireworks and explosives bear a special responsibility because their actions can endanger entire communities. To combat this issue, prosecutors and law enforcement agencies across Los Angeles County are working together to identify and dismantle illegal fireworks operations before they lead to more preventable tragedies.
These efforts have already taken massive quantities of illegal fireworks off the streets, including a major seizure in Gardena where authorities recovered approximately 75 tons (150,000 pounds) of mortar-style fireworks from a storage unit. District Attorney Hochman said seizures of this magnitude likely prevented catastrophic explosions, serious injuries and loss of life.
Today’s announcement reflects the Office’s broader commitment to holding offenders accountable and protecting our communities. LADA is also actively prosecuting the following cases:
Maxwell Maldonado (dob 10/31/00), Kevin Marion Salazar-Samanie (dob 5/15/00) and Brayan Torres (dob 10/20/01) all of San Diego were each charged with 21 felony counts of possession of explosive on a public street or highway in case 26CJCF03232. On May 2, 2026, authorities responded to the 6th Street Bridge in downtown Los Angeles in response to a call that people were allegedly blocking the bridge and setting off fireworks. The Los Angeles Police Department Bomb Squad recovered 21 homemade illegal explosives in a car. If convicted as charged, each faces 32 years, eight months in county jail.
Peter Medina Jr. (dob 6/26/79) of Whittier was charged in case 26CJCF01720 with one felony count each of violation of fireworks and pyrotechnics devices, and one misdemeanor count each of advertising sales of fireworks without sales license and the selling/use of unclassified/unregistered fireworks. On Jan. 13, 2026, investigators learned Medina Jr. allegedly advertised dangerous fireworks for sale on social media. Detectives allegedly discovered illegal fireworks in his Whittier storage unit, adjacent to a preschool. In addition to dangerous fireworks, 50 pounds of potassium perchlorate were allegedly discovered and a hydraulic press machine typically associated with homemade explosives. The total weight of the recovered fireworks was estimated to be 24,140 pounds. If convicted as charged Medina faces four years in county jail.
Luis Refugio Acosta (dob 5/2/74) of East Los Angeles was charged in case 25CJCF07073 with one felony count each of possession of a destructive device at a public building, possession of ingredients to make a destructive device, possession of a silencer, possession of any fixed ammunition of a caliber greater than .60 and unlawful possession of a flamethrowing device. On July 1, 2025, a warehouse explosion near Esparto in Yolo County, Calif. killed seven people and was tied to a massive statewide illegal fireworks operation. Eight people were indicted in Yolo County, some facing second-degree murder charges. Acosta was identified as allegedly transporting professional-display fireworks. A search of his East Los Angeles residence allegedly led to the discovery of a significant amount of illegal fireworks, explosives, explosive precursors, explosive manufacturing equipment and hazardous substances. If convicted as charged Acosta faces eight years, four months in state prison.
Alejandro Rodriguez (dob 8/24/79) of Wilmington, Natalie Navarro (dob 6/7/94) of Carson and Daniel Gudino (dob 5/30/99) of Wilmington were each charged in case 25IWCF00676 with one count each of felony possession of an explosive, felony violation of fireworks and pyrotechnics devices health and safety code, felony possession for sale of a controlled substance and three felony counts each of large capacity magazine activity. Navarro also faces two felony counts of carrying a loaded handgun on one’s person or in a vehicle not registered. On June 21, 2024, an anonymous tip led detectives to a storage unit in Gardena and the recovery of 75 tons (150,000 pounds) of illegal mortar-style fireworks. A ghost gun was recovered later. If convicted as charged, each faces five years, eight months in state prison to be served in
Case that resulted in conviction:
Jesus Alberto Feliz (dob 11/20/94) of Los Angeles was charged in case 25CJCF03870 with one felony count each of possession of a controlled substance with a firearm, having a concealed firearm in a vehicle not registered, carrying a loaded handgun on one’s person or in a vehicle not registered, two felony counts of child abuse under circumstances or conditions likely to cause great bodily harm or death and three felony counts of possession of an explosive. He was additionally charged with two misdemeanor counts of violation of fireworks and pyrotechnics devices health and safety code and one misdemeanor count of possession of fireworks without a valid permit. On July 1, 2025, a Crime Stoppers anonymous tip alerted authorities that the defendant was allegedly selling illegal fireworks out of his apartment in the Glassell Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, where detectives found over 5,000 explosive devices. Mortars, bottle rockets, roman candles, firecrackers, handguns and ammunition were allegedly found throughout the apartment including in a child’s bedroom. The total weight was about 170 pounds. On Dec. 8, 2025, Feliz was sentenced to two years in state prison.
Explosions That Killed Those Responsible
Jefferson Park
On May 9, 2026, the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the Jefferson Park neighborhood after 911 callers reported a garage on fire with explosions and fireworks going off. The explosive fire ripped through the detached garage with an attached accessory dwelling unit. Javier Acosta, 26, was later found deceased at the scene. Two adults from a neighboring home, one male and one female, were transported to the hospital after suffering injuries.
Citizen app video of the Jefferson Park explosion.
Bell Gardens
On Jan. 27, 2026, two brothers were killed in a massive explosion at a Bell Gardens apartment that also injured a child. Thirteen-year-old Carlos Hernandez was killed along with Christopher Benitez, 24, who later died at a hospital. Investigators believe the 0lder brother was assembling homemade fireworks or explosive devices.
Pacoima
A devastating illegal commercial-grade fireworks explosion followed by a blaze considered a major emergency killed one man, gravely injured a woman, injured four others and destroyed multiple homes in the Pacoima neighborhood on the night of July 3, 2025. Joaquin Carlin-Rodriguez, 33, was killed in the blast, and more than 18 people were displaced. Four homes were red-tagged and deemed uninhabitable.
Multiple animals were also injured. California Highway Patrol officers transported at least one injured dog directly to an emergency veterinary hospital, and Los Angeles Animal Services was requested to assist at the scene.
See video of the Pacoima blast here.
“I want to thank prosecutors in my office’s Target Crimes Division, including deputy district attorneys throughout the office and our law enforcement partners for their continued work to investigate illegal fireworks and explosives operations and eradicate them from our communities,” District Attorney Hochman said.
Residents are encouraged to attend only professionally conducted fireworks shows. Anyone who witnesses the transportation, sale or use of illegal fireworks and explosives is asked to call their local law enforcement agency. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Or go to WeTip www.wetip.com, monitored directly by LAPD Major Crimes 24 hours relating to fireworks and explosives, Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.
The charges in these cases are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The aftermath of the Jefferson Park illegal fireworks explosion.
