A distraught man is accused of starting a New Year’s Day fire that led to one of the worst disasters in Los Angeles history. Federal prosecutors revealed this in opening statements on Wednesday. Jonathan Rinderknecht, aged 30, faces three federal charges related to arson. He could face up to 45 years in prison if convicted.
Prosecutor Matthew O’Brien reported Rinderknecht was upset over not receiving a New Year’s Eve invite. He spent part of the evening working as an Uber driver. After dropping off a passenger near a home once shared with an ex-boyfriend, Rinderknecht visited a known hiking trail in the Santa Monica Mountains.
O’Brien shared that Rinderknecht described the hiking spot, Skull Rock, as an ’emotional’ place with sentimental value. It was there the small fire began shortly after midnight on January 1, 2025. This fire, named the Lachman Fire, initially burned less than 10 acres and did not damage structures.
An after-action fire report noted that firefighters mistakenly believed the Lachman Fire was extinguished. The fire smoldered and later reignited, resulting in the destructive Palisades Fire a week later. This later fire consumed over 24,000 acres, claimed 12 lives, and destroyed around 6,800 structures, including state, federal, and private properties.
Rinderknecht’s attorney, Steve Haney, argued his client is a scapegoat for the fire department’s oversight. Haney emphasized the lack of evidence proving Rinderknecht started the fires. Investigators found a green lighter in Rinderknecht’s car. Prosecutors suggest this was used to start the fire but Haney refuted this, indicating Rinderknecht reported the fire by calling 911 sixteen times.
On January 7, 2025, the Palisades Fire erupted on a hillside behind a wealthy area known as the Highlands. Strong winds spread the fire rapidly toward Palisades village and neighboring communities, including Malibu. The fire became a significant issue in the Los Angeles mayoral race. Spencer Pratt, a resident of Pacific Palisades, ran against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, criticizing her for poor leadership during the crisis. However, Pratt did not qualify for the November run-off.
Further witnesses claimed Rinderknecht drove erratically on New Year’s Eve and expressed anger. Haney refuted these claims, stating he has witnesses to support his client’s normal behavior that night. Rinderknecht reportedly ranted about capitalism and the wealthy, expressing resentment toward them.