Alleged fireworks dealer sparks outrage

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - It isn't the first time Leon Sapp has sparked outrage over his alleged fireworks dealings.

Buffalo Fire Marshal Lieutenant Sal Colangelo said, "I believe the total is gonna be around 400 pounds of fireworks."

400 pounds of fireworks, plus marijuana plants were seized from the Town of Tonawanda home of 50-year-old Leon Sapp.

The name may sound familiar. It does to the residents of Vermont Street on Buffalo's west side.

A Vermont Street resident said, "What am I gonna do?" (July 1, 2008)

Four families were left homeless, a year ago this week on Vermont Street, when a six-year-old was playing in a bedroom with fireworks allegedly purchased from Leon Sapp.

Sapp was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, and unlawful dealing with fireworks, but those charges from last year were dismissed for some reason.

In fact, Leon Sapp actually e-mailed News 4 a couple months ago saying that we should report that the case had been dismissed, but we could never confirm it through the judge's office.

Vermont Street resident Eric Gasak said, "Well, he should've learned his lesson knowing he got off of it the first time. To be out here doing it again, I think he should have some time to sit and think about his wrong decisions."

Vermont street resident Kal Somerville said, "For him to sell them to a little kid period, he shoulda been smarter to do that, ya know?"

This time, on the afternoon before the fourth, Buffalo Police say they spotted him selling fireworks from his car in the same west side neighborhood.

Lt. Colangelo said, "He was definitely selling. We had information that he was selling and also Officer O'Neil had information he was selling. Obviously, he hasn't learned his lesson from last year."