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Man pleads not guilty to sparking deadly Palisades Fire in Los Angeles

Jonathan Rinderknecht faces three federal arson charges for allegedly causing a wildfire that killed 12 and destroyed over 6,800 structures in Los Angeles, authorities said.

  • Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, pleaded not guilty to charges related to the Palisades Fire and Lachman Fire in Los Angeles during a court appearance on Thursday evening.
  • A federal grand jury indicted Rinderknecht on October 15, citing charges including destruction of property by fire and arson affecting interstate commerce.
  • If convicted, Rinderknecht could face up to 20 years in prison, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California.
  • The Palisades Fire was one of the most destructive in California, destroying 6,837 structures and killing a dozen people, as reported by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
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NBC LA broke the news in Los Angeles, United States on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
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