The man accused of starting a fire that ultimately became the deadly fire that devastated the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles earlier this year has been indicted by a federal grand jury, the Department of Justice announced Wednesday.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, was charged with three counts: one count of destruction of property by fire, one count of arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and one count of burning wood.
He faces up to 45 years in federal prison.
Jonathan Rinderknecht appears in a photograph released by the Department of Justice.
Department of Justice
Rinderknecht, a former Los Angeles resident who lives in Florida, was arrested on Oct. 7, several months after the Palisades Fire devastated neighborhoods in Los Angeles County and left 12 people dead.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
