DA Charges Adult, Teen in Templeton Feed & Grain Fire
By Camille DeVaul · Thu May 21 2026
Prosecutors allege illegal fireworks sparked the July 4, 2025 blaze that destroyed the historic Main Street landmark
TEMPLETON — The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney's Office announced on Thursday that criminal charges have been filed 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.
The fire that destroyed the historical Templeton Feed & Grain broke out at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Independence Day 2025 and 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 teen who used them.
The Jermin Family released the following statement to Paso Robles Press regarding the criminal charges filed:
"We would like to thank the SLO County Sheriff's Department and Templeton Fire Department for their time and dedication throughout this investigation, as well as Dan Dow and everyone at the SLO County District Attorney's Office for their handling of the case and decisions regarding any charges brought forward. While this has been a difficult chapter, we are thankful for the opportunity to move forward and focus on rebuilding so that we can once again serve our customers on Main Street."
The charges against each individual are outlined below. According to the District Attorney's office, in accordance with California law, no identifying information about the minor will be released.
Michael Joseph Steele (date of birth: March 30, 1988) of Morro Bay has been charged with six counts of criminal conduct arising from his role in assisting the teen 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.
The teen, a 16-year-old male resident of San Luis Obispo County (who will legally remain unnamed), has been charged by a Juvenile Wardship Petition filed in the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, Juvenile Division. According to the District Attorney's Office, due to the teen's age at the time of the crime, they will not 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.
In a press release, District Attorney Dan Dow urged all members of the public to understand that illegal fireworks are extraordinarily dangerous and carry severe criminal consequences. He added that 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.
Additionally, the press release stated that "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 fireworks 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."
Dow then provided the following statement:
“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.”
According to the District Attorney's office, when the Sheriff's Office deputies attempted to arrest Steele, he learned there was a warrant for his arrest and contacted a bail bond company, which filed a $200,000 bail bond with the Superior Court, avoiding arrest and booking.
Steele’s arraignment date is scheduled for June 4, at 8:30 a.m. in Department 1 of the San Luis Obispo County.
The defendant will likely be ordered to be booked after appearing in court for the arraignment. The teen's case is also scheduled for June 4.
If anyone 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 at 1(800)549-STOP (7867) or visit Crime Stoppers.