Suspect in Palisades Fire Indicted on Multiple Federal Charges, Facing Up to 45 Years in Prison

Crime

Suspect in Palisades Fire Indicted on Multiple Federal Charges, Facing Up to 45 Years in Prison

1 month ago

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Suspect in Palisades Fire Indicted on Multiple Federal Charges, Facing Up to 45 Years in Prison

Credited from: AA

Jonathan Rinderknecht indicted on three felony charges related to the Palisades Fire.
Fire resulted in 12 fatalities and the destruction of over 6,800 structures.
If convicted, Rinderknecht faces a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 45 years in prison.

Jonathan Rinderknecht, a 29-year-old man, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for his alleged role in the Palisades Fire, which engulfed the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles, resulting in 12 fatalities. He faces three charges, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce, and timber set afire, according to ABC News and Los Angeles Times.

The charges stem from an incident on New Year’s Day when Rinderknecht allegedly started a fire in Temescal Canyon that later reignited amid strong winds, leading to widespread destruction. The fire resulted in the loss of 6,837 structures, primarily homes, amounting to over $150 billion in damages, according to Reuters and AA.

Rinderknecht, who was living in Florida at the time of his arrest on October 7, faces a minimum sentence of five years if convicted, with a maximum of 45 years. His arraignment will occur in the coming weeks at the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, as noted by ABC News and Los Angeles Times.