Arrest Made in Connection with Deadly Palisades Fire

Federal officials have arrested 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht in relation to the devastating Palisades fire that occurred earlier this year in Los Angeles, resulting in the loss of 12 lives and the destruction of thousands of homes.

Originally from France, Rinderknecht later moved to the U.S. and lived in the Pacific Palisades area before relocating to Florida. There’s no information implying that he is an undocumented immigrant.

During a press conference on Wednesday, authorities shared details of his arrest that took place on Monday. The suspect, also known as “Jonathan Linder,” is accused of starting a fire that spread throughout Los Angeles in January.

This significant wildfire burned over 23,000 acres and devastated nearly 7,000 structures, with most being single-family homes. The fire’s damage has been estimated at around $250 billion, marking it as the most expensive wildfire in California’s history.

Bill Esseri, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, and Kenny Cooper, Special Agent of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, led the press conference.

Reportedly, Linderknecht was working as an Uber driver on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2024. Two passengers on that night told law enforcement that he seemed “upset and angry,” according to U.S. prosecutors.

After dropping off passengers in Pacific Palisades, he allegedly parked near the Skull Rock Trailhead and ventured up the trail, trying to contact a former friend. He filmed a video on his iPhone while listening to French rap in a clearing. It appears he had been repeatedly playing a certain song, along with a music video that had scenes of fire. Officials haven’t disclosed the song’s title.

Evidence includes videos he made, calls to 911, and images generated with ChatGPT that depicted a burning city. Prosecutors mentioned that he used ChatGPT to create a “dystopian” image of a burning forest and people fleeing.

According to the Department of Justice, soon after the Lachman Fire broke out on January 1, 2025, Rinderknecht made several attempts to contact 911, but was unable to get through due to poor service. By the time emergency services connected with him, he was at the base of a hiking trail; however, authorities had already received a report from a nearby resident.

Initially, the Uber driver drove away from the scene, but later returned to record the firefighters working to control the fire at around 1 a.m. local time.

The fire smoldered underground for a week, fueled by surrounding plants. However, it was reignited by high winds on January 7, leading to what became known as the Palisades Fire.

During a January interview with law enforcement, Linderknecht falsely claimed he was farther away from the fire than he actually was. Geolocation data from his phone showed he was only about 30 feet from the flames when he first called 911, according to a prosecutor’s statement.

“This allegation is bolstered by evidence from his cellphone, his misleading statements to police, and his actions during the incident,” Esseri added at the press conference.

Esseri explained that the complaint against Rinderknecht addresses both the Lachman Fire and the subsequent Palisades Fire, as they are interconnected.

“The complaint claims that one person’s recklessness led to the deadliest fire in Los Angeles’ history, causing fatalities and extensive destruction in the Pacific Palisades,” Esseri said. “While nothing can truly restore what the victims lost, we hope this case brings some sense of justice to those impacted by this tragedy.”

Rinderknecht has been charged with arson causing property damage and is set to appear in court for the first time on Wednesday. If found guilty, he might face a minimum of five years in federal prison, with a maximum of 20 years.