"The suspect charged with igniting a fire that eventually led to the deadly Palisades Fire in Los Angeles could now face up to 45 years in prison after a federal grand jury indicted him and added two more felonies to his criminal case Wednesday. Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, is charged in the three-count indictment with one count of destruction of property by means of fire. He is also now charged with one count of arson affecting property used in interstate commerce, and one count of timber set afire."
"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."
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, faces a three-count federal indictment that adds arson affecting interstate commerce and timber set afire charges to a destruction-of-property-by-fire count. The additional felonies raise his potential federal prison exposure from 20 to as much as 45 years, with a five-year mandatory minimum. Rinderknecht was arrested Oct. 7 near his Florida home and had been staying at a burned Via La Costa residence in the Palisades Highlands. Authorities allege he started the Lachman Fire in the early hours of Jan. 1 after working as an Uber driver, appearing agitated to passengers, taking iPhone videos, and listening to a rap song whose video depicted objects being set on fire. An arraignment is expected in the coming weeks.
Read at abc7ny.com
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