Palisades Fire suspect's behavior typical of arsonist, panel says
Share and Follow


() The suspect in the investigation into the wildfire that ravaged Los Angeles’ Pacific Palisades neighborhood early this year showed a specific kind of behavior.

Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, was arrested in Florida and charged with destruction of property by means of fire. Rinderknecht was a former resident of the Pacific Palisades area, authorities said.

Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor for the Southern District of California, and Rick Crawford, a former battalion chief for the Los Angeles Fire Department, joined Wednesday’s “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” to discuss Rinderknecht’s behavior.

Crawford said Rinderknecht showed signs of “typical firebug behavior.”

“An arson investigator … what they do is they look at the behavior of a person like this individual,” he said.

“And what happens is they like to watch their work. Lots of times, they want to help put the fire out. They’ve had an interest in being a firefighter at some point, and not able to quite make it there,” Crawford added.

Crawford also said technology played a pivotal part in the investigation: “Things like being able to geolocate (Rinderknecht), infrared drones to map the fire’s perimeter and capture the hot spots in real time. It shows technology is one of our best witnesses.”

Palisades Fire suspect could face manslaughter, murder charges: Ex-prosecutor

Despite Rahmani calling Rinderknecht’s case unusual, he believes the suspect could also face charges of manslaughter and murder, given that 12 people died as a result of the wildfire.

“I expect when prosecutors go to the grand jury to get an indictment, we are going to see felony murder charges, which, of course, under federal law, carry the potential for the death penalty,” Rahmani said.

“I’m not saying that’s going to be filed in this case, but the exposure is going to be significant,” he added.

“We’re talking a potential life sentence, maybe even death row.”

Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said evidence collected from Rinderknecht included an AI-generated image depicting a burning city.

Criminal complaint alleges suspect started ‘Lachman fire’

A criminal complaint alleges Rinderknecht started a New Year’s Day brush fire that came to be called the “Lachman Fire.”

Rinderknecht allegedly then hiked up a trail and shot videos of the fire area, while listening repeatedly to a song by French rap artist “Josman.” The song’s music video allegedly shows objects being set on fire. Rinderknecht called 911 to report the blaze.

Rinderknecht’s initial court appearance took place Wednesday in Orlando. If convicted, the charge carries a mandatory five-year federal prison sentence and is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
US airlines cancel more than 2,500 weekend flights amid shutdown

Massive Flight Disruptions: Over 2,500 US Weekend Flights Cancelled Due to Shutdown

By Saturday evening, airlines across the United States had axed over 2,500…
Suburban moms arrested during sit-in protest outside ICE facility

Local Moms Detained Following Peaceful Protest at ICE Facility

A collective of suburban mothers found themselves under arrest in Chicago while…
Former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue dies at 84

Legendary NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue Passes Away at 84: A Look Back at His Impactful Legacy

Paul Tagliabue, who helmed the NFL as commissioner for 17 years, passed…
101-year-old Kristallnacht survivor warns current era 'equivalent to 1938' on anniversary of Nazi riot

101-Year-Old Kristallnacht Survivor Draws Parallels Between Today’s Climate and 1938 on Riot Anniversary

Eighty-seven years on from the horrors of Kristallnacht, a 101-year-old Holocaust survivor…
Jets pay tribute to Nick Mangold as wife, kids serve as honorary captains

New York Jets Honor Nick Mangold with Special Tribute: Family Takes Field as Honorary Captains

On Sunday, the New York Jets honored the memory of their iconic…
Los Angeles Dodgers' Alex Vesia and wife mourn death of infant daughter

Dodgers’ Pitcher Alex Vesia and Wife Face Heartbreaking Loss of Infant Daughter

Vesia and his wife expressed their gratitude to the Dodgers, their supporters,…
Israel-Hamas war: Palestinian death toll tops 69,000 in Gaza as Israel and Hamas exchange remains again

Palestinian Casualties Escalate Beyond 69,000 in Gaza Amid Ongoing Israel-Hamas Tensions and Remains Exchange

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — As the conflict between Israel and Hamas…
Fedora man unmasked: Meet Pedro Elias Garzon Delvaux, the teen behind the Louvre 'detective' mystery photo

Unveiled: The Teen Behind the Viral Louvre ‘Detective’ Photo – Meet Pedro Elias Garzon Delvaux!

PARIS — When Pedro Elias Garzon Delvaux, a 15-year-old from Rambouillet, discovered…