Alleged LA Palisades arsonist indicted on federal charges

The man accused of starting the catastrophic Pacific Palisades wildfire in Los Angeles has been hit with a federal indictment.

According to the US Department of Justice Jonathan Rinderknecht was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury on three counts, including two felonies. They are all related to the New Year’s Day fire, which destroyed nearly 7,000 homes and businesses and caused an estimated $150 billion in damage.

The indictment charges him with arson of property used in interstate commerce, destruction of property by fire and burning of timber, all serious federal crimes.

Prosecutors say Rinderknecht deliberately ignited a brush fire in the hills above LA on Jan. 1, which firefighters initially managed to put down but days later flared up again and exploded in what became known as the Palisades Fire, destroying entire neighborhoods.