Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, of Melbourne, Florida, has been arrested in connection with the New Year’s Day fire that smoldered for days and later erupted into the devastating Palisades Fire, now considered one of the costliest wildfires in California history.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, arrested for allegedly sparking the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles.

• Federal charge: destruction of property by means of fire.

• Fire began Jan. 1 as the Lachman Fire, later exploding into the Palisades Fire on Jan. 7.

• Over 6,800 structures destroyed, 12 fatalities confirmed.

• AI-generated images showing a burning city allegedly created by Rinderknecht were used as evidence.

• Rinderknecht reportedly agitated on New Year’s Eve and followed firefighters to the scene.

Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli announced the federal charge of destruction of property by means of fire during a Wednesday morning news conference. Rinderknecht was scheduled to make his initial appearance in federal court in Florida the same day.

“The complaint alleges that a single person’s recklessness caused one of the worst fires Los Angeles has ever seen, resulting in death and widespread destruction in Pacific Palisades,” Essayli said.

“While we cannot bring back what victims lost, we hope this criminal case brings some measure of justice to those affected by this horrific tragedy,” he added.

Authorities cited digital records that included AI-generated images allegedly created by Rinderknecht using ChatGPT, showing a city engulfed in flames. Investigators said these digital footprints played a key role in identifying him as a suspect.

Rinderknecht is accused of starting the Lachman Fire shortly after midnight on Jan. 1. At the time, authorities believed the blaze was extinguished. However, the fire remained hidden as a “holdover” and re-ignited on Jan. 7 when strong Santa Ana winds fanned the flames. The fire then exploded into the Palisades Fire, destroying more than 6,800 structures and claiming 12 lives.

Federal investigators said Rinderknecht was working as an Uber driver on New Year’s Eve. Two separate passengers reported that he appeared “agitated and angry” during his trips.

After dropping off a passenger in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, investigators say Rinderknecht parked his car near the Skull Rock Trailhead and attempted to contact a friend. He then walked up the trail and reportedly filmed videos with his iPhone. Authorities said he was listening to a rap song repeatedly over the past days, the music video of which contained imagery of things being set on fire.

A fire sensor detected flames at the trailhead location at 12:12 a.m. Over the next five minutes, Rinderknecht reportedly attempted to call 911 but initially could not connect due to poor cell reception. A nearby resident had also called authorities to report the fire.

“Rinderknecht then fled the scene in his car, passing fire engines driving in the opposite direction,” federal prosecutors said. “He later turned around and followed the fire engines back to the scene, walking up the same trail from earlier that night to watch the fire and the firefighters at work.”

Authorities first interviewed Rinderknecht on Jan. 24. He claimed that he was near the bottom of the trail when the fire started. However, geolocation data from his iPhone placed him approximately 30 feet from the fire’s origin, contradicting his account, according to the Department of Justice.

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