ChatGPT art is part of the evidence in Palisades arson case

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of igniting a fire that eventually turned into the destructive Palisades Fire, federal and local law enforcement authorities announced Wednesday.

Jonathan Rinderknecht, a former resident of Pacific Palisades, was taken into custody Tuesday near his Florida home for destruction of property by means of fire, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli.

Authorities say Rinderknecht was familiar with the Palisades and had been staying at a home on Via La Costa in the Palisades Highlands that burned in the Jan. 7 fire.

Timeline of Rinderknecht's alleged actions leading up to fire

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.

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.

Then, Rinderknecht exited his car, walked up a trail, took iPhone videos from a nearby hilltop and listened to a "rap song, whose music video included objects being lit on fire."

Essayli said Rinderknecht listened to the song and watched the music video repeatedly in the days leading up to the Lachman Fire.

After the Lachman Fire ignited, Rinderknecht called 911 to report the blaze but did not get service. Cellphone records show Rinderknecht was the only person in the area where the fire started.

He fled the scene in his car but turned around when he saw fire engines approach, Essayli said.

"While the Lachman Fire burned, the defendant walked up the same trail from earlier that night to watch the fire and firefighters," Essayli said, adding that Rinderknecht recorded videos of the scene using his iPhone.

"Although firefighters suppressed the blaze, the fire continued to smolder and burn underground within the root structure of the dense vegetation," Essayli said during a press conference Wednesday morning. "It smoldered underground for about a week until on January 7, heavy winds caused this underground fire to surface and spread above ground, causing what became known as the Palisades Fire - one of the most destructives fires in Los Angeles City history."

In the complaint, the ATF calls the Palisades Fire a "holdover fire." The complain shows images of the burn scar and where both fires started.

U.S. Department of Justice

U.S. Department of Justice

During an interview Jan. 24, Rinderknecht told investigators where the fire began, information not yet public and that he would not have known if he hadn't witnessed it, the complaint said.

He lied about his location, claiming he was near the bottom of the hiking trail, Essayli said.

The suspect was visibly anxious during that interview, according to the complaint. His efforts to call 911 and his question to ChatGPT about a cigarette lighting a fire indicated he "wanted to preserve evidence of himself trying to assist in the suppression of the fire and he wanted to create evidence regarding a more innocent explanation for the cause of the fire," the complaint said.

Investigators determined the Jan. 1 fire was intentionally lit, likely by a lighter taken to vegetation or paper, according to the criminal complaint. They excluded other possibilities, including fireworks, lightning and power lines. Authorities also looked into whether a cigarette may have caused the fire, but concluded that was not the cause, the complaint says.

Investigators found a "barbecue-style" lighter inside the glove compartment of Rinderknecht's car on Jan. 24. It appeared to be the same lighter as one that was in his apartment on Dec. 31, based on a photo on his phone. He admitted to bringing a lighter with him when he walked up the hill.

Federal prosecutors also allege that the suspect's ChatGPT log shows he created an image depicting a burning forest and crowds fleeing it.

X / USAttyEssayli

Rinderknecht made an appearance in federal court in Orlando, Florida Wednesday. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement on the arrest, calling it a step towards closure and justice.

"I want to thank the federal Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for their work, and the leadership of Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles Fire Department for their efforts, both of which were part of a multi-jurisdictional task force that led to this arrest," read the statement.

The Los Angeles Fire Department also released a statement, saying the arrest is "a critical step toward ensuring accountability, justice, and healing for our city."

"We are forever grateful to our frontline responders, law enforcement partners, and the people of Los Angeles for their vigilance and support for one another during this incredibly challenging year," read the LAFD statement. "Although the flames have been extinguished, the impact of these fires will linger for years to come. Our hearts are with the families and neighborhoods who faced tremendous loss."

The January wildfire that destroyed and damaged nearly 8,000 structures and killed 12 people.

Residents speak out after news of arrest

Residents impacted by the devastating blaze told Eyewitness News they felt many emotions on Wednesday, including anger at the suspect as well as anger at the LAFD, because the Lachman Fire was able to reignite.

"For somebody to go up and intentionally light a fire and to put people's lives in danger and people's homes in danger is absolutely devastating," said Jeremy Wineberg, a Pacific Palisades resident who lost his home in the fire.

Wineberg said Wednesday's news brings a sense of relief.

"I've been carrying for last 10 months. Who did this? How did this happen? Where did this come from? Today, I have that answer," he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.