"He was taken into custody 10 months after the wind-driven Palisades fire, which destroyed thousands of homes and killed 12 people. Prosecutors allege that Rinderknecht "maliciously set" a brush fire just after midnight on Jan. 1 that eventually grew into the deadly inferno. He allegedly remained in the area after he set the fire, repeatedly called 911 and then offered to help firefighters, according to a federal affidavit."
"Rinderknecht was working as an Uber driver and living in Los Angeles when the blaze was set. Prosecutors have not revealed a possible motive and it's unclear when he'll be brought to Los Angeles. Authorities say they plan to present their case to a grand jury to consider additional charges. He is currently accused only of destruction of property by means of fire."
"In the hearing, authorities detailed Rinderknecht's recent encounters with law enforcement. Thomas Harrison, a special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives told of a Sept. 19 disturbance call to West Melbourne police where a family member reported that Rinderknecht threatened to burn down the house he was living in with his sister and her husband. Police visited the home again on Sept. 25 after Rinderknecht's father told them he was concerned his son had a gun."
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, was arrested in Florida and is accused of maliciously setting a brush fire on Jan. 1 that grew into the wind-driven Palisades fire, destroying thousands of homes and killing 12 people. Authorities say he remained in the area after starting the blaze, repeatedly called 911, and offered to help firefighters. He was living and working as an Uber driver in Los Angeles at the time. Prosecutors have not disclosed a motive and currently charge him with destruction of property by means of fire while planning to present additional charges to a grand jury. He is being held as a flight risk.
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