The 29-year-old man accused of sparking probably the most harmful wildfires in Los Angeles allegedly threatened to burn down his dwelling in Florida final month throughout an argument with a relative after which confirmed his father a gun, based on federal prosecutors.
Jonathan Rinderknecht appeared in a Florida federal courtroom on Thursday, sooner or later after federal brokers arrested him at his dwelling exterior Orlando. He was taken into custody 10 months after the wind-driven Palisades hearth, which destroyed 1000’s of properties and killed 12 folks.
Prosecutors allege that Rinderknecht “maliciously set” a brush hearth simply after midnight on Jan. 1 that finally grew into the lethal inferno. He allegedly remained within the space after he set the hearth, repeatedly referred to as 911 after which supplied to assist firefighters, based on a federal affidavit.
An undated photograph of Jonathan Rinderknecht, who’s accused of setting the Palisades hearth in Los Angeles.
(Handout)
Rinderknecht was working as an Uber driver and residing in Los Angeles when the blaze was set. Prosecutors haven’t revealed a doable motive and it’s unclear when he’ll be delivered to Los Angeles. Authorities say they plan to current their case to a grand jury to think about further expenses. He’s at present accused solely of destruction of property via hearth.
Throughout a 90-minute listening to Thursday, U.S. Justice of the Peace Choose Nathan W. Hill agreed to carry Rinderknecht in custody after prosecutors mentioned he was a flight threat on account of having household ties in France.
Within the listening to, authorities detailed Rinderknecht’s current encounters with legislation enforcement.
Thomas Harrison, a particular agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives informed of a Sept. 19 disturbance name to West Melbourne police the place a member of the family reported that Rinderknecht threatened to burn down the home he was residing in along with his sister and her husband.
Police visited the house once more on Sept. 25 after Rinderknecht’s father informed them he was involved his son had a gun. Harrison testified in court docket Thursday that Rinderknecht claimed he would use the gun in self-defense in opposition to his brother-in-law. No arrests or expenses got here from both incident.
Rindernecht informed officers the weapon was saved in a secure, however brokers subsequently discovered a gun inside a stuffed animal within the storage. Harrison mentioned the mounting considerations had been sufficient for Rindernecht’s kinfolk to maneuver two kids out of the house.
Rindernecht’s lawyer, Assistant Public Defender Aziz Hathorne, informed the court docket Rindernecht was not a threat to anybody and his household was supporting him. She added that officers by no means requested them if the menace to burn down the home was credible.
When authorities first introduced Rinderknecht had been arrested, performing U.S. Atty. Invoice Essayli offered a listing of circumstantial proof they mentioned linked him to the hearth. That included a search of his cellphone, which revealed a picture he’s accused of producing on ChatGPT depicting a burning metropolis. Authorities mentioned he additionally repeatedly referred to as 911 after the hearth began and typed a query into ChatGPT: “Are you at fault if a hearth is [lit] due to your cigarettes.”
Rindernecht grew up the son of Baptist missionaries who traveled throughout the USA each few years. They primarily lived in France, based on household associates, and Rindernecht lived within the Palisades, Hollywood and within the San Fernando Valley whereas in Southern California.
On the finish of the listening to, the decide ordered Rinderknecht to stay in custody. He’s due again in court docket Oct. 17.
