Honolulu, HI – The Department of the Attorney General announced today the successful prosecution of two men for selling illegal aerial fireworks, as well as charges against a woman for allegedly importing fireworks without the required permits. These actions are the result of ongoing efforts by the Illegal Fireworks Task Force to combat the distribution and importation of illegal pyrotechnics in Hawaii.
Wolfgang Clark and Daniel C. Young both pled no contest to two counts of felony fireworks offenses (violation of Hawaii Revised Statutes sections 132D-14) following law enforcement sting operations. Both men were granted a deferred plea over the state’s objection. As part of their sentencing, they are required to pay a $5,000 fine and will be under court supervision for four years.
A violation of section 132D-14 is a class C felony, carrying a potential sentence of up to five years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine per offense. Young was sentenced on February 19, 2025, and Clark pled no contest today.
In a separate case, Explicit Pyrotechnics, LLC., and its owner, Josephine Quintanilla (also known as Josephine Langas and Josephine Henderson), were charged on March 11, 2025, with Importation of Fireworks Without a Valid License or Permit. This is also a class C felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. While possessing a federal permit, Explicit Pyrotechnics, LLC. is accused of importing fireworks into the state without a necessary state permit.
Mike Lambert, director of the Department of Law Enforcement, emphasized the importance of accountability. “The judgments in these cases are a step in the right direction for holding distributors accountable,” he stated. “If we are able to increase the penalties for fireworks distributors this legislative session, the Department of Law Enforcement is confident that we can reduce the availability of fireworks in our community.”
The Illegal Fireworks Task Force, comprised of the Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement and the Honolulu Police Department, investigates and interdicts shipments of illegal fireworks entering the state through Hawaii’s ports.
Attorney General Anne Lopez expressed her gratitude to the task force and her staff. “I want to extend my sincerest thanks to the law enforcement agencies involved in the Illegal Fireworks Task Force, as well as to my Criminal Justice Division staff, for all their hard work investigating these illegal operators and bringing them to justice,” said Lopez. “Together we will do everything in our power to enforce the law so that what happened on New Year’s Eve never happens again.”
It is important to note that criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
