OAN Staff Katherine Mosack
8:02 AM – Saturday, August 15, 2026
Federal prosecutors are making another attempt to prosecute Jonathan Rinderknecht, the man accused of causing a blaze that became the Palisades Fire, after a judge declared a mistrial.
On Thursday, prosecutors filed a revised indictment that dropped one of the three felony counts previously faced by 30-year-old Rinderknecht.
The suspect initially faced one count of destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire. The timber charge was dropped in the most recent filing.
The move came after a jury reached a 10-2 deadlock in favor of acquittal. Though prosecutors did not explain why the specific charge was removed, it could be an effort to narrow and simplify the case for a retrial.
Rinderknecht is accused of intentionally starting the Lachman Fire in the Pacific Palisades Highlands near midnight on New Year’s Day 2025. Officials believe this fire was not fully contained, remaining underground and reigniting with dry winds a week later.
A possible motive for Rinderknecht might have been his frustration with his place in life and with wealthy people.
Federal prosecutors built a case against him using cellphone records and surveillance footage, revealing that he made multiple 911 calls after the blaze. They also noted his behavior after the fire began, saying he visited the trail “hundreds of times.”
“There’s a fire, there’s a fire,” Rinderknecht could be heard saying in a 911 call. “There’s a fire a top of Pacific Palisades Highland.”
Rinderknecht also screen-recorded himself typing into ChatGPT, “Are you at fault if a fire is lit because of your cigarettes?”
Prosecutors allege he used a green Bic lighter found in his car.
The suspected arsonist’s defense team argued that prosecutors did not prove he started the initial fire or that the Lachman fire led to the Palisades Fire that destroyed nearly 7,000 structures in Los Angeles.
“There is no evidence that he started the fire. This is all circumstantial,” attorney Steve Haney said.
Rinderknecht is due back in court next week for a status conference. His retrial is scheduled to take place in the fall.
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