The Department of Justice announced on Wednesday that a 29-year-old former Uber driver from Florida has been arrested and charged in connection with the Palisades Fire, one of the most devastating wildfires in Los Angeles history that killed a dozen people in the region earlier this year. The fire is also responsible for burning more than 23,000 acres of land in the Pacific Palisades, Malibu and the Santa Monica mountains, according to Cal Fire, and more than 6,800 structures were destroyed. The Palisade Fire was ignited the same day as the Eaton Fire, which burned more than 14,00 acres in Los Angeles County, destroyed more than 9,400 structures and killed 19 people, according to officials.
According to the DOJ, Jonathan Rinderknecht is accused of “maliciously” setting the blaze on January 1st, that killed twelve people before it was fully contained on January 31. Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California said in a post on X that Rinderknecht was taken into custody Tuesday near his home in Florida and charged with destruction of property by means of fire. A criminal complaint states that Rinderknecht will be charged with Destruction of Property by Means of Fire, with Essayli saying that additional charges may be added. The felony charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison, which could last as long as 20 years if convicted.
Authorities believe the Palisades Fire was a “holdover” blaze — a continuation of the Lachman Fire, which Rinderknecht allegedly ignited on New Year’s Day. Firefighters initially managed to extinguish the Lachman Fire, but according to a federal criminal complaint, smoldering embers remained underground. On January 7, as powerful winds swept through the area, the fire reignited and rapidly spread, transforming into the deadly Palisades Fire. Investigators ruled out other potential causes, including fireworks, lightning, and electrical equipment, concluding that none were responsible for the deadly blaze.
Investigators say Rinderknecht, who once lived in Pacific Palisades, had recently completed an Uber shift when he allegedly started the fire. Two of his passengers told authorities he appeared “agitated and angry” that night, according to the complaint. After dropping off a passenger in the neighborhood, Rinderknecht reportedly drove toward the Skull Rock Trailhead, attempted to contact a former friend, and then walked up the trail. Investigators say he took photos on his cellphone and listened to a song by a French artist whose music video featured fires being set, according to the Department of Justice. Around 11:47 p.m., Rinderknecht allegedly recorded two videos from the hilltop, showing no visible flames. Roughly 25 minutes later, at 12:12 a.m. on January 1, sensors detected a fire in the same area.
The complaint states that Rinderknecht tried calling 911 multiple times but was unable to connect because his phone had no signal. He eventually reached an operator and reported the blaze, around the same time a nearby resident also called in the fire. After making the report, Rinderknecht allegedly fled in his vehicle but soon turned around and followed fire trucks heading toward the scene. Around 1 a.m., he reportedly recorded additional videos showing firefighters battling the growing inferno, according to prosecutors.
Essayli said in a statement: “A single person’s recklessness caused one of the worst fires Los Angeles has ever seen, resulting in death and widespread destruction in Pacific Palisades. While we cannot bring back what victims lost, we hope this criminal case brings some measure of justice to those affected by this horrific tragedy.”
Editorial credit: eley archive / Shutterstock.com
