[National News] Florida Man Arrested for Arson in Deadly Palisades Fire That Killed 12

Federal authorities have arrested a 29-year-old Florida man in connection with the devastating Palisades Fire that tore through Los Angeles in January, killing 12 people and destroying thousands of homes.

According to acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, Jonathan Rinderknecht of Melbourne, Florida, was taken into custody on suspicion of maliciously starting a fire that later ignited the massive Palisades blaze. He faces a federal charge of Destruction of Property by Means of Fire — a felony carrying a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a potential sentence of up to 20 years. Officials said more charges could follow as the investigation continues.

From a Small Fire to a Catastrophic Inferno

Investigators believe Rinderknecht first ignited a smaller blaze known as the Lachman Fire on January 1 in the Pacific Palisades area. That fire, initially limited to about eight acres, was quickly contained and caused no structural damage. However, Essayli explained that embers continued to smolder underground for days within root systems and dry vegetation. When strong Santa Ana winds hit on January 7, those underground embers reignited, fueling the inferno that became the Palisades Fire.

“Although firefighters suppressed the Lachman Fire, it continued to smolder underground until winds caused it to surface and spread above ground,” Essayli said during a Wednesday press conference.

The Palisades Fire ultimately burned more than 23,000 acres, destroying over 6,800 structures and claiming 12 lives across the Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and the Santa Monica Mountains, according to Cal Fire.

Digital Trail and Disturbing Online Activity

Federal prosecutors revealed that Rinderknecht left behind extensive digital evidence, including a ChatGPT prompt from mid-2024 in which he asked the AI system to generate images of a burning city. Investigators did not comment on his motive but confirmed that electronic data, videos, and geolocation records played a key role in identifying him as a suspect.

A Disturbed Night in the Hills

Rinderknecht, who had been working as an Uber driver on the night of the first fire, was reportedly angry and agitated during his shift. After dropping off his last passenger near the fire zone, he walked up a nearby trail, attempted to call a friend, and began recording videos on his phone while listening to the French rap song “Un Zder, Un Thé” by Josman — a track whose music video features objects being set on fire.

Investigators allege that he then ignited the blaze, left the scene, and later returned to watch firefighters battle the flames, continuing to film as the fire spread. When questioned weeks later, he allegedly lied to authorities, claiming he discovered the fire while hiking. Geolocation data, however, placed him within 30 feet of the ignition point at the time it began.

Community Reaction

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the arrest a long-awaited step toward justice for victims.

“Our city faced one of the most devastating periods in its history,” Bass said. “Lives were lost and thousands of homes destroyed. This arrest brings us closer to closure and accountability.”

The Los Angeles Fire Department released a statement applauding the arrest, describing the fire as a “deliberate act intended to cause devastating harm.” Governor Gavin Newsom also pledged continued state support for the ongoing investigation.

Rinderknecht appeared in U.S. District Court in Orlando on Wednesday but did not enter a plea.

Authorities say the case remains active, and the federal investigation will continue to determine Rinderknecht’s full intent and any additional contributing factors behind one of California’s deadliest wildfires in recent memory.