The defense attorney for Jonathan Rinderknecht, who was charged by federal authorities with starting the fatal Palisades Fire that scorched more than 23,000 acres in Los Angeles County in January, has described the allegations as “preposterous.”
“We are in receipt of the indictment and look forward to vigorously defending Mr. Rinderknecht against these charges,” defense attorney Steve Haney said in a press release. “There were blatant failures by governmental agencies that were intervening causes between the Lachman and the Palisades Fires. To scapegoat Jonathan Rinderknecht and attempt to hold him criminally liable for the failure of others is preposterous.”
Haney, known for his high-profile federal defense work, suggested the government’s narrative oversimplifies the chain of events that led to the catastrophic blaze.
Who is Jonathan Rinderknecht?
Federal authorities announced the arrest of Rinderknecht, 29, near his Florida home on Oct. 7 in connection with the Palisades Fire that scorched more than 23,000 acres in Los Angeles County earlier this year.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said Rinderknecht faces a felony charge of “destruction of property by means of a fire,” which carries a mandatory minimum five-year sentence and up to 20 years in federal prison.
Officials allege Rinderknecht started the Lachman Fire on Jan. 1 in Pacific Palisades, which smoldered underground before surfacing and spreading amid heavy winds, ultimately becoming the Palisades Fire. The blaze killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes, ranking as California’s third most destructive wildfire.
What has Rinderknecht been accused of?
Authorities say Rinderknecht, a former Pacific Palisades resident and Uber driver, walked up a trail in Topanga State Park shortly after midnight on Jan. 1, took videos, and listened to a rap song featuring fire imagery. Investigators claim he repeatedly viewed the song’s music video in the days before the blaze.
The Lachman Fire began near Temescal Ridge Trail with an open flame, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Rinderknecht allegedly called 911 after the fire started but initially lied about his location, investigators say. Geolocation data placed him about 30 feet from the fire as it grew.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Defense calls Palisades Fire charges against Rinderknecht ‘preposterous’
Reporting by James Ward, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
