Jonathan Rinderknecht, a 29-year-old former Uber driver from Florida, has been arrested and charged with intentionally starting the blaze that later morphed into the destructive Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, which killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes. ABC7 Los Angeles+3AP News+3Department of Justice+3

According to the criminal complaint, Rinderknecht ignited a small brush fire—known as the Lachman Fire—shortly after midnight on New Year’s Day 2025, after completing a ride in Pacific Palisades. The fire was allegedly suppressed initially, but continued to smolder underground in the root systems of vegetation, before re-emerging on January 7 amid strong winds and ignition of surrounding flora.

Evidence against Rinderknecht includes geolocation data placing him near the fire’s origin, video and digital records, and contradictions in his statements to investigators.  Investigators also point to an image he generated via ChatGPT depicting a burning cityscape and hints of a fire motif in his media consumption before the event, which they say underscores premeditation.

Rinderknecht was arrested in Florida and is expected to be transferred to the Central District of California to face federal arson charges.  If convicted, he faces a sentence ranging between 5 and 20 years in prison for malicious destruction by fire.

The arrest marks a major development in the multi-agency investigation involving the ATF, Los Angeles Police, and Los Angeles Fire Department after nearly nine months of forensic, digital and testimonial work.Authorities call this one of the most destructive wildfires in L.A. history, and the case has drawn attention for its blend of traditional arson investigation and digital evidence.