Nine months after one of the worst and deadliest wildfires in Los Angeles history, federal authorities arrested 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht. He's charged with setting a small fire along a hiking trail in Pacific Palisades that smoldered beneath the ground before exploding a week later.

Pacific Palisades

Federal authorities have arrested Jonathan Rindernack, a 29-year-old former Uber driver, in connection with the Palisades fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles history. Investigators allege that Rindernack set a small fire along a hiking trail, which smoldered for days before igniting into the larger blaze that killed 12 people and destroyed nearly 6,000 homes.

Evidence presented includes AI-generated images and a question the suspect posed to ChatGPT regarding responsibility for fires caused by cigarettes. Uber reportedly provided key information to investigators. Authorities have not disclosed a motive, and Rindernack faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Suspect charged with starting Los Angeles Palisades Fire

Good evening. I'm Maurice Dubois. I'm John Dickerson. Exactly. Nine months ago, this broadcast opened at the scene of the Palisades fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles history. Today, a 29 year old former Uber driver was arrested in Melbourne, Florida, and charged with intentionally starting it. Federal investigators say the suspect had actually started a separate fire on New Year's Day. It's smoldered for days before reigniting as the Palisades fire. Officials have given no possible motive. They say the evidence includes images generated by artificial intelligence and a question from the suspect to CHAT GPT. Uber says it provided investigators with crucial information. Jonathan Vigliotti has reported extensively on those Los Angeles wildfires, and he leads us off tonight. Nine months after one of the worst and deadliest wildfires in L.A. history. Today marks a significant moment in a long road to justice for our community. Federal authorities arrested 29 year old Jonathan Rinder neck. He's charged with setting a small fire shortly after midnight on New Year's Day along a hiking trail in Pacific Palisades. That small fire smoldered beneath the ground, then exploded into the Palisades fire a week later. The fire killed 12 people, destroyed nearly 6000 homes. ATF Special Agent Kenny Cooper, you say it was intentional. Yes, it is incendiary fire. We know he started that fire. According to the complaint, Rinder neck dialed 9-1-1. And while on the call, allegedly typed this question to CHAT GPT. Are you at fault if fire is lit because of your cigarettes? CHAT GPT's response. Yes. Acting U.S. attorney, Bill Saley, says authorities also uncovered other evidence, including the defendant's CHAT GPT prompt of a dystopian painting. That's an image he produced a few months before the fire started. It shows it shows the city being burned. Today, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass focused on the victims. It doesn't bring any closure, but hopefully it's the first step toward justice. Authorities say while they have a suspect, they don't have a motive. I wish we could get into somebody's head, but we can't. And I'm not going to speculate or go into anything of that. Like we have evidence of that that will be addressed in trial. But evil people do evil things. And Rindernack was formally charged today. He'll appear back in federal court tomorrow morning if he is found guilty. Ultimately, he could face up to 20 years in prison.

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