By By JOHN EBY / Niles Daily Star
CASSOPOLIS -- A Fourth-of-July fireworks explosion at Indian Lake which injured a reported five people, blew windows out of 10 homes and caused some structural damage resulted in five criminal charges for an Illinois man.
Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz charged Anthony Joseph Diloreto, 50, of Chicago, with:
Fireworks possession is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail.
Second-degree child abuse carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison.
Fourth-degree child abuse and conspiracy to possess illegal fireworks are one-year misdemeanors.
Sheriff's deputies were dispatched at 11:19 p.m. Friday, July 4, to 33334 Inn-D-Inn Drive, Silver Creek Township.
Upon further investigation, deputies learned that there had been a party at the address where subjects lit off illegal fireworks.
Sheriff Joseph M. Underwood reported at the time that one firework landed in a box containing numerous other fireworks, igniting them and causing the explosion.
Five injured individuals were taken to Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac, treated and released.
Fitz said in a prepared statement this morning that Diloreto "took part that day in the reckless possession and use of these illegal fireworks.
Diloreto's arraignment is set for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, in Fourth District Court.
Fitz said investigation continues regarding other offenders at that time and location.
Deputies were assisted at the scene by the Indian Lake Fire Department and Dowagiac Ambulance Service.