BLACK JACK, Mo. (AP) — One man had pleaded guilty after a fireworks explosion destroyed a Missouri home and killed four people on June 17, 2022.

Seneca Mahan, 46, pleaded guilty to six felonies, including three counts of involuntary manslaughter, endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful manufacturing of an illegal weapon. The victims in the powerful blast that shook other homes and blew out neighbors’ windows were identified as Travell Eason, 16; Christopher Jones, 17; Damario Cooks, 18; and William Jones, 21.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Office is recommending a sentence of 30 years but sentencing has been delayed until Feb. 28. During a plea hearing, Mahan apologized to family members, calling the victims "exceptional young men" and said he's "very, very sorry" for his actions.

There are two codefendants in this case. Marquita Guest is scheduled to stand trial on Feb. 24, and Terrell Cooks is scheduled to stand trial on March 24.

St. Louis County prosecutors say Cooks and Mahan made fireworks and directed younger people on how to load the canisters and attach a fuse for lighting. They would then sell the fireworks to others. Neither Cooks nor Mahan had a license to make or sell fireworks.

Court documents say Cooks admitted that he and Mahan made explosive devices designed to make a loud bang and bright flash. Investigators saw Cooks moving boxes of chemicals used to make explosives to his vehicle after Friday’s explosion, and they found large quantities of “completed explosive weapons and components to manufacture them” when they searched a home and other vehicles connected to Cooks.