District Attorney Charges Adult and Juvenile in Connection with July 4th Templeton Feed & Grain Fire
District Attorney Charges Adult and Juvenile in Connection with July 4th Templeton Feed & Grain Fire
Author: District Attorney
Date: 5/21/2026 3:37 PM
District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney's Office has filed criminal charges against an adult male and a juvenile in connection with the July 4, 2025, fire that destroyed the Templeton Feed & Grain store located at 405 South Main Street in Templeton, California.
The Templeton Feed & Grain fire which broke out at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Independence Day 2025 was caused by the illegal use of dangerous fireworks. The investigation led by the Templeton Fire Department in partnership with the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office has identified both an adult who facilitated the procurement of illegal fireworks and explosives and the juvenile who used them. The charges against each individual are outlined below. In accordance with California law, no identifying information about the juvenile will be released.
CHARGES AGAINST ADULT DEFENDANT — MICHAEL JOSEPH STEELE
The District Attorney's Office filed a Criminal Complaint in the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court charging Michael Joseph Steele (date of birth: March 30, 1988), of Morro Bay, California, with six counts of criminal conduct arising from his role in assisting the juvenile in finding, purchasing, and transporting illegal fireworks and explosive devices in the period leading up to July 4, 2025. The charges filed against Steele are as follows:
- Count 1 — Child Endangerment, Penal Code section 273a(a), a Felony.
- Count 2 — Possession of Ingredients to Make a Destructive Device or Explosive, Penal Code section 18720, a Felony.
- Count 3 — Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, Penal Code section 182(a)(1), a Felony. Steele conspired with the juvenile and others to commit the crime of possession of unaltered dangerous fireworks (gross weight less than 25 pounds) in violation of Health and Safety Code Section 12700(b)(1). Overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy included: (1) traveling together from San Luis Obispo County to Bakersfield; (2) purchasing illegal fireworks in Bakersfield; (3) returning together from Bakersfield to San Luis Obispo County; and (4) posting on social media about the purchase of illegal fireworks.
- Count 4 — Possession of unaltered dangerous fireworks with a gross weight of less than 25 pounds in violation of Health and Safety Code section 12700(b)(1), a Misdemeanor.
- Count 5 — Possession of Dangerous Fireworks, Health & Safety Code section 12677, a Misdemeanor.
- Count 6 — Possession and Storage of Unregistered Fireworks, Health & Safety Code section 12671, a Misdemeanor.
Consistent with California law governing juvenile proceedings, the District Attorney's Office is not releasing the identity of the minor charged in this matter. The juvenile, a 16-year-old male resident of San Luis Obispo County, has been charged by Juvenile Wardship Petition filed in the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, Juvenile Division, pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 602(a). The juvenile's case will be heard in San Luis Obispo County Juvenile Court. Due to the juvenile's age at the time of the offenses, the matter cannot be transferred to adult court. The following charges have been filed in the Juvenile Wardship Petition:
- Arson of a Structure, Penal Code section 451(c) — for the burning of Templeton Feed and Grain on July 4, 2025. A serious felony under California’s Three Strikes Law.
- Possession of the Ingredients to Make a Destructive Device or Explosive, Penal Code section 18720, a Felony.
- Possession of unaltered dangerous fireworks with a gross weight of less than 25 pounds in violation of Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Devices Health and Safety Code, Part 2, section 12700(b)(1) a Misdemeanor.
- Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, Penal Code section 182(a)(1), a felony. On or between June 22, 2025, and July 5, 2025, the juvenile unlawfully conspired with Michael Steele and others to commit the crime of possession of unaltered dangerous fireworks (gross weight less than 25 pounds) in violation of Health and Safety Code Section 12700(b)(1). Overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy included: (1) traveling together from San Luis Obispo County to Bakersfield; (2) purchasing illegal fireworks in Bakersfield; (3) returning together from Bakersfield to San Luis Obispo County; and (4) posting on social media about the purchase of illegal fireworks.
PUBLIC SAFETY WARNING: ILLEGAL FIREWORKS AND EXPLOSIVE DEVICES
District Attorney Dan Dow urges all members of the public to understand that illegal fireworks are extraordinarily dangerous and carry severe criminal consequences. The possession, transportation, sale, or transfer of illegal fireworks within San Luis Obispo County will be taken seriously by every law enforcement agency in the County and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Furthermore, the manufacture or use of explosive devices — including improvised or homemade explosives — is exceedingly dangerous to the health and safety of those involved and to the broader community. Such conduct can result in catastrophic injury, death, and the destruction of property, and it constitutes a serious felony under California law. No firework or explosive of any kind that has not been approved by the California State Fire Marshal for consumer use should ever be in the possession of any individual in San Luis Obispo County.
STATEMENT FROM DISTRICT ATTORNEY DAN DOW
“The Templeton Feed & Grain is a historic institution and a beloved part of our community’s identity, agricultural heritage, and local economy. Since 1946 this business has served the ranching, farming, and agricultural community of San Luis Obispo County for nearly eight decades — through three generations of the Jermin family. The Jermin family has been a cornerstone of our region’s agricultural industry and has served this community with pride for generations. The loss of this working granary which became an iconic landmark is felt not only by the Jermin family, but by every resident, rancher, farmer, and neighbor who has walked through those doors over the past 79 years. We grieve with the entire community for this tragic loss.”
“The illegal use of explosive devices and fireworks puts lives at risk, destroys irreplaceable property, and tears at the fabric of our communities. The Templeton Feed & Grain fire is a powerful and painful example of the real and lasting harm that results from this type of reckless and unlawful behavior. Every person who participates in obtaining, possessing, transporting, or using illegal explosives or fireworks will be held accountable.”
— Dan Dow, San Luis Obispo County District Attorney
CUSTODY STATUS AND NEXT STEPS
Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to apprehend Michael Joseph Steele today based on a warrant for his arrest that was issued by a judge. However, during this process, the defendant apparently learned that there was a warrant for his arrest. Rather than turn himself in to Sheriff’s personnel, he instead contacted a bail bond company who filed a $200,000 bail bond with the Superior Court avoiding arrest and booking. Steele’s arraignment date is now scheduled for June 4, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 1 of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, Judge Catherine J. Swysen presiding. The defendant will likely be ordered to be booked after appearing in court for the arraignment. The juvenile’s case is also scheduled for June 4, 2026 at the Juvenile Services Center on Kansas Avenue, San Luis Obispo. The adult case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Sarah Merson and the juvenile case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Steven von Dohlen.
District Attorney Dan Dow urges all members of the public to understand that illegal fireworks are extraordinarily dangerous and carry severe criminal consequences. The possession, transportation, sale, or transfer of illegal fireworks within San Luis Obispo County will be taken seriously by every law enforcement agency in the County and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Furthermore, the manufacture or use of explosive devices — including improvised or homemade explosives — is exceedingly dangerous to the health and safety of those involved and to the broader community. Such conduct can result in catastrophic injury, death, and the destruction of property, and it constitutes a serious felony under California law. No firework or explosive of any kind that has not been approved by the California State Fire Marshal for consumer use should ever be in the possession of any individual in San Luis Obispo County.
STATEMENT FROM DISTRICT ATTORNEY DAN DOW
“The Templeton Feed & Grain is a historic institution and a beloved part of our community’s identity, agricultural heritage, and local economy. Since 1946 this business has served the ranching, farming, and agricultural community of San Luis Obispo County for nearly eight decades — through three generations of the Jermin family. The Jermin family has been a cornerstone of our region’s agricultural industry and has served this community with pride for generations. The loss of this working granary which became an iconic landmark is felt not only by the Jermin family, but by every resident, rancher, farmer, and neighbor who has walked through those doors over the past 79 years. We grieve with the entire community for this tragic loss.”
“The illegal use of explosive devices and fireworks puts lives at risk, destroys irreplaceable property, and tears at the fabric of our communities. The Templeton Feed & Grain fire is a powerful and painful example of the real and lasting harm that results from this type of reckless and unlawful behavior. Every person who participates in obtaining, possessing, transporting, or using illegal explosives or fireworks will be held accountable.”
— Dan Dow, San Luis Obispo County District Attorney
CUSTODY STATUS AND NEXT STEPS
Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to apprehend Michael Joseph Steele today based on a warrant for his arrest that was issued by a judge. However, during this process, the defendant apparently learned that there was a warrant for his arrest. Rather than turn himself in to Sheriff’s personnel, he instead contacted a bail bond company who filed a $200,000 bail bond with the Superior Court avoiding arrest and booking. Steele’s arraignment date is now scheduled for June 4, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 1 of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, Judge Catherine J. Swysen presiding. The defendant will likely be ordered to be booked after appearing in court for the arraignment. The juvenile’s case is also scheduled for June 4, 2026 at the Juvenile Services Center on Kansas Avenue, San Luis Obispo. The adult case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Sarah Merson and the juvenile case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Steven von Dohlen.
ONGOING INVESTIGATION — CALL TO THE COMMUNITY
Every case prosecuted by the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office is treated as an ongoing investigation. If any member of the community has information related to the Templeton Feed and Grain fire or any other matter related to this case that could be helpful to law enforcement, they are strongly encouraged to contact San Luis Obispo County Crime Stoppers.
Every case prosecuted by the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office is treated as an ongoing investigation. If any member of the community has information related to the Templeton Feed and Grain fire or any other matter related to this case that could be helpful to law enforcement, they are strongly encouraged to contact San Luis Obispo County Crime Stoppers.
San Luis Obispo County Crime Stoppers: If you have any information, no matter how small, please submit your tip to San Luis Obispo County Crime Stoppers (anonymous): 1-800-549-STOP (7867). Here is a link to the Crime Stoppers website:
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Here is a copy of the charging document. Here is a copy of the defendant’s booking photo from an earlier arrest on July 23, 2022. The charges described in this press release are allegations only. All defendants are legally presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Please contact Assistant District Attorney Eric J. Dobroth at 805-781-5819 with any questions.
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