Jonathan Rinderknecht Arrested on Federal Arson Charge in Pacific Palisades Fire That Killed 12

📌 Key Facts

• Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, was arrested on a federal criminal complaint charging him with Destruction of Property by Means of Fire (a felony carrying a mandatory minimum of 5 years and up to 20 years if convicted).
• Prosecutors allege Rinderknecht started the Lachman Fire on Jan. 1, which investigators say rekindled and grew into the Jan. 7 Pacific Palisades Fire that killed 12 people.
• The criminal complaint alleges Rinderknecht used an open flame to ignite the fire after dropping off passengers, and that he took iPhone videos from a nearby hilltop and made false statements to law enforcement.
• Investigators cite extensive digital and circumstantial evidence, including an AI/ChatGPT-generated image of a dystopian burning city (and an AI-image prompt), repeated listening to the French rap song 'Un Zder, Un Thé' by Josman (whose video shows objects being set on fire), passenger statements that he was 'agitated,' and other phone/video data.
• Uber told investigators it worked with the ATF, its GPS data placed Rinderknecht near the Lachman fire origin on Jan. 1, and the company has revoked his access to its platform.
• Rinderknecht was scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Orlando; at a detention hearing U.S. Magistrate Judge Nathan W. Hill ordered him held without bond, citing concerns including his mental health, unsteady income and complicated family relationships (three siblings attended and one sister cried).
• Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said a 'single person’s recklessness' caused one of L.A.’s worst fires, and state officials including Gov. Gavin Newsom issued statements condemning the tragedy.

📰 Sources (4)