A 29-year-old Florida man, Jonathan Rinderknecht, has been arrested on a federal criminal complaint alleging he maliciously started the New Year’s Day blaze in Pacific Palisades that later exploded into the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history.
Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli announced the arrest on Wednesday, saying Rinderknecht is charged with malicious destruction of property by means of fire. According to Essayli, investigators allege the initial New Year’s Day fire rekindled days later amid strong winds and grew into the Palisades Fire, which caused deaths and widespread destruction across Los Angeles.
A Justice Department news release said evidence includes material recovered from Rinderknecht’s digital devices and other investigative findings gathered by federal and local authorities. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California , the complaint also cites geolocation and video evidence developed during a months-long probe.
Rinderknecht was taken into custody in Florida. His initial appearance is scheduled for Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. EDT in U.S. District Court in Orlando, authorities said. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
California and federal officials have called the Palisades Fire one of Los Angeles’ deadliest and most destructive, with thousands of structures destroyed and significant loss of life.
Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the arrest in a post on X, calling it “great work” by federal authorities and vowing accountability.
“The Justice Department “will deliver justice for the Palisades Fire and keep Californians safe”, it added.
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