EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The man accused of setting a New Year’s Eve fire that grew into what became the deadly Palisades Fire is set to be arraigned in federal court Thursday afternoon in downtown Los Angeles.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, who was a Pacific Palisades resident at the time, was arrested on Oct. 7 in Florida. The 29-year-old was extradicted to California and is in federal custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown LA, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
He has been charged with destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire
A plea is expected to be taken at the time of his arraignment, and a trial date is expected to be scheduled.
The Palisades Fire began Jan. 7 and quickly grew into a highly destructive wildfire that burned 23,448 acres, killed 12 people and destroyed about 6,800 structures.
If convicted on all three charges, he could face a minimum of 5 years in prison and a maximum of 45 years.
This is a developing story and will be updated.