Feds arrest man in fireworks blast

Federal agents on Saturday arrested a South Los Angeles man on charges of illegally transporting explosives, including homemade fireworks that were detonated by police in a residential neighborhood, causing an explosion that damaged homes and injured 17 people.

Arturo Ceja III was arrested Saturday afternoon, federal officials said in a news release. He faces a charge of transporting explosives without a license and is expected to remain in custody until he appears in federal court on Tuesday, according to the statement.

Los Angeles police have come under scrutiny for attempting to safely detonate the fireworks in the neighborhood after officers seized them from a South Los Angeles home Wednesday.

The LAPD is working with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to investigate the origin of the fireworks and review the officers’ actions.

Residents have said police should have done more to protect the community before the detonation.

Ceja was previously arrested by the LAPD on suspicion of reckless or malicious possession of a destructive device after the fireworks were found. He was released on bond Thursday before the arrest on federal charges.

An attorney for Ceja could not be immediately reached for comment.

The complaint filed against Ceja in federal court on Friday says he bought large amounts of commercial fireworks in June from a retailer in Pahrump, Nev.

The complaint also says he bought homemade fireworks from a man in the parking lot.

In their release Saturday, federal officials said Ceja had about 32,000 pounds of fireworks in the yard.