Panel Reports Suspect in Palisades Fire Exhibits Classic Arsonist Traits

() 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.