Mills Sentencing Set for July 28 Following Guilty Pleas in South Beach Fireworks Explosion

Levi Howand-Wayne Mills will be sentenced on July 28, 2025, after pleading guilty to multiple felony charges related to the South Beach fireworks explosion in that hospitalized 14 people, including a four-year-old child. His co-defendant, Megan Rae Warner, resolved her role in the incident through a plea agreement that reduced her charges to a misdemeanor conviction for possession of a destructive device.

On the evening in question, commercial and homemade fireworks exploded during unauthorized sales activity at South Beach. The detonation caused injuries substantial enough to hospitalize 14 victims, one who was then a four-year-old child who suffered severe injuries. Investigation by emergency responders and law enforcement attributed the explosion to the illegal distribution and unsafe storage of dangerous explosives.

Following a joint investigation led by the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office and state fire authorities, Levi Howand-Wayne Mills, 33, and Megan Rae Warner, 32, were identified as responsible parties. Arrested on July 11, 2024, both were charged initially with an array of felonies, reflecting the seriousness of the incident and associated risks to public safety.

 

Both Mills and Warner were originally booked on the following felony counts:

• Possession and sale of illegal explosives

• Selling or distributing dangerous fireworks

• Willful cruelty to a child

• Selling and using unclassified fireworks

• Possession of fireworks without a permit

• Discharging fireworks likely to cause injury

• Obstructing or resisting a public officer (amended in subsequent proceedings)

Mills posted a $50,000 bond on July 15, 2024. Warner’s release was delayed due to unrelated warrants despite the same bail amount.

Mills entered guilty pleas to multiple felony charges on May 22, 2025, thereby accepting responsibility for his role in the illegal storage and sale of explosives that led to the mass-casualty event. He remains out on bond pending sentencing, which is scheduled for July 28 before Honorable Judge Darren McElfresh. Mills faces a possible prison sentence reflecting the gravity of the incident and the extent of injuries sustained by the victims.

Warner’s case was resolved through a plea agreement approved by Honorable Judge Karen Olson on June 27. Under the negotiated deal, Warner entered a no contest plea to a single misdemeanor count of possession of a destructive device. As a condition of the agreement she will serve one year probation, five days in county jail, and be fined $70.

This agreement resulted in the dismissal of all original felony charges and special allegations against Warner.

The Del Norte County District Attorney’s Office and local law enforcement have emphasized the risks posed by illegal fireworks, using this case to highlight the need for robust regulation and community education regarding banned explosives. The South Beach explosion not only led to substantial injuries and legal repercussions but also prompted increased demands from community members for stricter fireworks enforcement, particularly during public holiday events.