Federal officials announced the arrest of a 29-year-old Florida man accused of starting the blaze that led to the destructive Palisades Fire in Los Angeles earlier this year.
According to acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, Jonathan Rinderknecht was taken into custody on suspicion of “maliciously” setting a fire that eventually spread across thousands of acres in the Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and the Santa Monica Mountains. The fire killed 12 people and destroyed more than 6,800 structures, according to Cal Fire.
Rinderknecht is charged with Destruction of Property by Means of Fire, a felony that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and up to 20 years if convicted. Essayli stated that additional charges could follow.
Officials allege that Rinderknecht started a smaller fire on January 1, known as the Lachman Fire, in the Pacific Palisades area. That fire initially burned about eight acres without destroying any structures. However, investigators believe strong Santa Ana winds may have rekindled embers from that fire, sparking what became the Palisades Fire on January 7.
“He is charged with starting the Palisades Fire. He started it on Jan. 1,” Essayli said during a news conference Wednesday.
Authorities said the investigation involved extensive digital evidence, including a ChatGPT prompt that generated images of a burning city. Officials did not disclose a potential motive.
Rinderknecht is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Orlando, Florida, at 1:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday.
Investigators reported that Rinderknecht had been working as an Uber driver in the area when the Lachman Fire began. After dropping off a passenger, he allegedly set the fire along a hiking trail. Witnesses told investigators that he appeared “agitated” and “angry” during his shift that morning.
The Palisades Fire ultimately burned more than 23,000 acres and became one of the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles this year. Federal and local agencies continue to investigate the case.
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