UPDATE
Oct 16, 2025 3:00 AM CDT
The man accused of causing the southern California fire that destroyed much of the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in January has been indicted by a federal grand jury, ABC News reports. Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, faces up to 45 years behind bars on one count of destruction of property by means of fire, one count of arson affecting property used in interstate commerce, and one count of timber set afire. That's two additional charges, and 25 years added on to the potential federal prison sentence, beyond what authorities originally announced. No motive has yet been alleged, but authorities pointed to an image the suspect allegedly generated using ChatGPT showing "a burning forest and a crowd fleeing from it."
Oct 8, 2025 12:41 PM CDT
After a 9-month probe into the deadly and highly destructive Palisades fire that tore through Pacific Palisades and Malibu, an arrest. The feds on Wednesday announced the arrest of 29-year-old Uber driver Jonathan Rinderknecht, who prosecutors allege lit the original "Lachman fire" in the wee hours of New Year's Day near the popular Skull Rock Trail after driving through the area in what his passengers say was an agitated state. That first fire, thought to be contained, in reality smoldered underground before reigniting during high winds nearly a week later, exploding into the inferno that consumed 23,400 acres and more than 6,000 homes and buildings.
"We hope his arrest brings some measure of justice to the victims of this horrific tragedy," said US Attorney Bill Essayli. The Los Angeles Times details the alleged evidence pointing to Rinderknecht, who moved to Florida after the fire: Per the criminal complaint, prosecutors allege he listened to a French rap song about despair—its music video depicts a trash can being set on fire—nine times in the four days before the blaze. It's thought the fire was started using a lighter taken to vegetation or paper, per the complaint; other possibilities, including fireworks, lightning, power lines, and a cigarette were ruled out. Authorities allege that after setting the fire, Rinderknecht repeatedly tried to call 911 but had no cell service; the blaze was reported by a resident at 12:17am.
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Rinderknecht eventually got through to 911, and while on the line, allegedly asked ChatGPT, "Are you at fault if a fire is lift [sic] because of your cigarettes." Essayli says he then returned to the trail to watch the fire burn, reports the AP. The complaint depicts his 911 calls and question to ChatGPT as a means of "preserv[ing] evidence of himself trying to assist in the suppression of the fire ... he wanted to create evidence regarding a more innocent explanation for the cause of the fire." Investigators say they also found a ChatGPT-generated image of a burning city on Rinderknecht's devices. Rinderknecht was arrested in Florida on Tuesday and faces charges including malicious destruction by means of a fire. CBS News reports the charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years.
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