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Officials Arrest Man in Florida on Suspicion of Starting Devastating Palisades Fire
Jonathan Rinderknecht faces federal charges for maliciously starting the Lachman Fire that reignited into the Palisades Fire, killing 12 and destroying over 6,000 structures, officials said.
- On October 8, 2025, the Department of Justice announced Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, was apprehended January 7 in Melbourne, Florida, and federally charged with destruction of property by means of fire.
- The Lachman Fire, stemming from the initial fire, smoldered until strong Santa Ana winds on January 7 caused it to surface as the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles.
- Prosecutors say digital evidence includes ChatGPT prompts of burning cities and the quote `I literally burnt the Bible that I had. I felt so liberated,` plus iPhone videos and video surveillance near Skull Rock.
- Officials warned the federal charges carry a potential federal sentence, as the arrest may bring justice for the 12 people killed, over 6,000 structures destroyed, and more than 23,000 acres burned.
- The legal matter of admitting ChatGPT logs into evidence remains uncharted as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Los Angeles Field Division leads a complex investigation using chatbot records.
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A 29-year-old man was accused of causing the Palisades fire in California, one of the most destructive in his history.
·Mexico City, Mexico
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Conservative Daily NewsSuspected LA Arsonist Allegedly Created Eerie Pictures Of Burning Cities, Felt ‘Liberated’ Setting Bible On Fire
'That is from his ChatGPT'
·Houston, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources13
Leaning Left1Leaning Right5Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution62% Right
Bias Distribution
- 62% of the sources lean Right
62% Right
13%
C 25%
R 62%
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