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Florida Man Arrested, Charged With Starting Blaze That Became L.A. Palisades Fire

He faces five to 20 years on a federal count after an initial appearance in Orlando.

Images: Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli on X / Court documents
Image
FILE - An aerial view shows the devastation left by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades section of Los Angeles, Jan. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, file)
Firefighters watch the flames from the Palisades Fire burning a home on January 8, in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.

Overview

  • Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, was arrested near his home in Florida after prosecutors unsealed a complaint alleging he ignited a New Year’s Day brush fire in Pacific Palisades.
  • He is charged with destruction of property by means of fire, a federal offense with a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years if convicted.
  • Investigators say the Jan. 1 Lachman Fire smoldered as a holdover in vegetation and resurfaced under powerful winds on Jan. 7, becoming the multiweek Palisades Fire.
  • Evidence cited by prosecutors includes cellphone geolocation and 911 data, witness accounts from Uber passengers, iPhone videos, and AI-generated images; ATF teams also conducted controlled-burn tests.
  • The Palisades Fire burned over 23,000 acres, destroyed more than 6,800 structures, and killed 12 people, with prosecutors indicating additional charges could go to a grand jury.