Stockton Criminal Attorney Secures Plea Deal for Historic Illegal Firework Mover | The Law Offices of Allen Sawyer
A man arrested for possessing seven tons of illegal fireworks and 276 explosive devices—in what amounted to a record-setting illegal fireworks bust for San Joaquin County—will serve ten months in San Joaquin County jail, pay a $150,000 fine, and be placed on five years of informal probation. In Stockton court in mid-December, Steven Clark was formally sentenced with three counts of possession of fireworks and explosive devices in a plea deal negotiated by his attorney, Allen Sawyer.
“It was a mistake and he regrets it,” Sawyer said following the sentencing. “He’s hoping he can put it all behind him and move on.”
Clark, 41, had no previous convictions before being arrested last June after Manteca police officers raided a warehouse Clark owned, revealing 276 explosive devices and more than 14,000 pounds of illegal fireworks, all within 100 feet of a residential area and a preschool. Clark’s sale of illegal fireworks to an undercover Stockton detective led police to secure the warrant necessary to search the warehouse. Following his arrest, bail was set at $5 million for Clark. He will now receive the maximum credit for time served in jail.
“He never intended to hurt anybody—he’s a good guy,” said Sawyer. “He understands how his bad choice affected his family and friends and why there are laws about illegal fireworks. He definitely wants to put this past him. And I don’t think he’s in any hurry to see fireworks on the fourth of July.”