Man Pleads Not Guilty to Charges in Deadly Palisades Fire
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, has pleaded not guilty to federal charges related to the Palisades Fire, which resulted in 12 fatalities and extensive property damage in Los Angeles.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, a 29-year-old Florida resident, appeared in federal court in Los Angeles on Thursday, pleading not guilty to charges connected to the Palisades Fire. The fire, which ignited on January 7, 2025, led to 12 deaths and destroyed over 6,800 structures in the Pacific Palisades and Malibu areas.
Prosecutors allege that Rinderknecht started a smaller fire on January 1, 2025, in the Skull Rock hiking area. This fire reportedly smoldered underground before reigniting nearly a week later, culminating in the devastating Palisades Fire.
During the hearing, Rinderknecht's attorney, Steve Haney, contested the charges, emphasizing that his client is being held accountable for a fire that erupted days after the initial incident. Haney also highlighted that Rinderknecht had no prior criminal record or documented mental health issues.
The court ordered Rinderknecht to remain in custody pending trial, which is scheduled for December 16. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
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