"Jonathan Rinderknecht, a former resident of Pacific Palisades, was arrested in Florida earlier this month. He is charged with one count of destruction of property by means of fire, one count of arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and one county of timber set a fire. If convicted on all charges, Rinderknecht faces up to 45 years in federal prison."
"During his first court appearance on Thursday, Rinderknecht's attorney, Steven Haney, tried to argue against detention, which was ordered on October 9 by a Florida judge. Haney said his client has no history of mental health issues or drug use and has no prior criminal record, and that he's charged with a fire that occurred seven days after the fire he's accused of starting."
"Rinderknecht started the Lachman Fire in the early morning hours of Jan. 1 after working as an Uber driver the night before, according to the federal criminal complaint. Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said two of his passengers told law enforcement that he appeared agitated and angry that night. After he dropped off a passenger in the Pacific Palisades, Essayli said Rinderknecht parked his car and tried but failed to contact a former friend."
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, pleaded not guilty to federal charges accusing him of starting the Palisades Fire. He faces counts of destruction of property by fire, arson affecting interstate commerce and setting timber ablaze, with potential penalties up to 45 years in prison. A Florida judge ordered detention on Oct. 9 and a U.S. magistrate upheld that custody despite defense arguments about no prior criminal history or mental health issues. Rinderknecht interrupted the arraignment to speak about detainment, later entered the not guilty plea, and a December 16 trial date was set for seven to ten days. Authorities allege he started the Lachman Fire on Jan. 1 after working as an Uber driver.
Read at ABC7 New York
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