Jonathan Rinderknecht, the man accused of igniting the devastating Palisades Fire, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on two new charges, potentially leading to a 45-year prison sentence. The fire, which started as the Lachman Fire on January 1, 2025, is now considered a ‘holdover’ fire that eventually burned federal property, causing significant damage to the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, Rinderknecht, a 29-year-old from Melbourne, Florida, had previously been charged with destruction of property by means of fire. Now, he faces additional counts of arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire. If convicted, he could receive a maximum sentence of 45 years in federal prison.
Law enforcement determined that the fire was a ‘holdover’ fire, a continuation of the Lachman Fire that began on New Year’s Day 2025. The fire spread rapidly, burning federal property and causing extensive destruction. Prosecutors allege that Rinderknecht maliciously set the fire, using evidence including witness statements, video surveillance, and cellphone data.
Rinderknecht, who was working as an Uber driver on December 31, 2024, is alleged to have been agitated and angry during his shifts. Two passengers reported that they noticed him acting strangely, which further fueled suspicions. After dropping off a passenger in Pacific Palisades, he drove to Skull Rock Trailhead, parked his car, and walked up the trail. He used his iPhone to take videos at a hilltop area and listened to a rap song, which included imagery of things being lit on fire.
Environmental sensing platforms indicated the Lach,man Fire had begun at 12:12 a.m. on January 1, 2025. However, Rinderknecht lied about his whereabouts when he first saw the fire, claiming he was near the bottom of a hiking trail when he called 911. Geolocation data from his iPhone carrier showed he was actually standing in a clearing 30 feet from the fire as it spread rapidly.
Rinderknecht was arrested on October 7, 2025, and is expected to appear in court in Los Angeles in the coming weeks. His case highlights the potential consequences of intentional acts that lead to widespread destruction and loss of life.