Federal arson trial for alleged Palisades Fire arsonist

The federal arson trial for a man accused of starting the deadly 2025 Palisades Fire began with jury selection on Monday, June 8, 2026, in Los Angeles. Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, has pleaded not guilty to charges including malicious destruction by fire. Prosecutors allege he ignited a blaze that, after smoldering for days, erupted into one of the most destructive wildfires in California history.

Federal authorities contend that Rinderknecht, a former rideshare driver, started what became known as the Lachman Fire in the Pacific Palisades area shortly after midnight on January 1, 2025. They allege the fire was suppressed but continued to burn undetected in root systems before flaring up amid strong Santa Ana winds on January 7. That reignited blaze became the Palisades Fire, which burned more than 23,000 acres, destroyed nearly 7,000 structures, and killed 12 people in hillside neighborhoods of Pacific Palisades and Malibu.

The prosecution's case, outlined in pretrial memos, relies on geolocation data from Rinderknecht's phone placing him in the area as the initial fire grew. Investigators also seized a barbecue lighter from his vehicle, which he reportedly admitted having with...