Introduction to the Palisades Fire Suspect Indictment
A federal grand jury has indicted Jonathan Rinderknecht, who is suspected of starting a fire that led to the destructive Palisades wildfire that killed 12. Two additional felony charges were also added to his case, the U.S. Department of Justice announced on Wednesday, Oct. 15.
Rinderknecht, 29, was initially charged with destruction of property by means of fire, but now also faces two additional felony charges, one count of arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and one count of timber set afire.
Charges and Potential Sentencing
If convicted, he faces five to 45 years in federal prison. The Melbourne, Fla., resident has been in federal custody since his Oct. 7 arrest. He is suspected of starting the Lachman fire on Jan. 1, which authorities believe was a “holdover fire” that burned underground for days and became the Palisades fire on Jan. 7 as intense winds battered Los Angeles. Authorities previously described Rinderknecht as having a “despondent view of the world.”
Upcoming Court Proceedings
He is expected to be arraigned in the next few weeks in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles, according to prosecutors.
The Incident and Investigation
Authorities allege that Rinderknecht, working as an Uber driver on Dec. 31, 2024, dropped off a passenger in the Pacific Palisades and headed to Skull Rock Trailhead, where he tried to contact a past friend, walked up the trail, and listened to a song with a music video that showed fire and took videos.
Environmental sensing platforms sensed the Lachman fire just after midnight on Jan. 1. Shortly after, Rinderknecht called 911 but could not get through until he was at the bottom of the hiking trail, by which time a resident had already reported the fire, prosecutors said.
He initially drove away from the fire, passing fire trucks heading towards the scene, before deciding to turn around and speeding after the fire trucks back to the scene of the fire. He walked back up the trail and took more videos around 1 a.m., according to the U.S. DOJ.
Aftermath of the Fire
Days later, on Jan. 7, the Lachman fire became the Palisades fire after burning and smoldering underground for several days. The Palisades fire ultimately burned over 23,000 acres, damaging or destroying more than 7,000 homes and other structures.
When he was interviewed by law enforcement in late January, he said he was at the bottom of the trail and had spotted the fire, but geolocation data revealed he was about 30 feet away from the blaze, authorities said. Rinderknecht had lived in the Palisades at one point, prosecutors said.
Publication Information
Originally Published: October 15, 2025 at 5:12 PM PDT
Conclusion
The indictment of Jonathan Rinderknecht marks a significant development in the investigation into the Palisades wildfire. As the case proceeds, it will be crucial to follow the legal proceedings and any new evidence that emerges. The severity of the charges and the potential sentencing reflect the gravity of the situation and the impact of the fire on the community.
FAQs
- Q: What are the charges against Jonathan Rinderknecht?
A: Rinderknecht faces charges including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce, and timber set afire. - Q: What is the potential sentencing for Rinderknecht if convicted?
A: If convicted, Rinderknecht faces five to 45 years in federal prison. - Q: What is the status of Rinderknecht’s court proceedings?
A: He is expected to be arraigned in the next few weeks in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles. - Q: How did the Palisades fire start and spread?
A: Authorities believe the fire started as a “holdover fire” on Jan. 1, burning underground for days before becoming the Palisades fire on Jan. 7, fueled by intense winds. - Q: What was the extent of the damage from the Palisades fire?
A: The fire burned over 23,000 acres, damaging or destroying more than 7,000 homes and other structures.
