After a nine-month federal investigation into the catastrophic Palisades fire that ravaged Pacific Palisades and Malibu, authorities have arrested 29-year-old Uber driver Jonathan Rinderknecht. Federal prosecutors allege Rinderknecht deliberately ignited the initial “Lachman fire” in the early hours of New Year’s Day near the popular Skull Rock Trail. According to court documents, Rinderknecht appeared agitated while driving passengers through the area shortly before the blaze began.
That smaller fire—believed at first to be contained—continued to smolder underground and, nearly a week later, reignited amid strong winds, erupting into a massive inferno that scorched 23,400 acres and destroyed more than 6,000 homes and buildings.
“We hope his arrest brings some measure of justice to the victims of this horrific tragedy,” said U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli.
Evidence outlined in the criminal complaint suggests Rinderknecht listened repeatedly to a French rap song about despair—accompanied by a video showing a trash can being set on fire—in the days leading up to the blaze. Prosecutors believe he used a lighter to ignite nearby vegetation or paper, while ruling out other possible causes such as fireworks, lightning, power lines, or discarded cigarettes.
Authorities say Rinderknecht made several failed attempts to call 911 after starting the fire, citing a lack of cell service in the area. The blaze was first reported by a resident at 12:17 a.m. When Rinderknecht finally reached emergency dispatchers, he allegedly asked ChatGPT, “Are you at fault if a fire is lit because of your cigarettes?”
According to the complaint, he then returned to the trail to watch the flames spread. Investigators say his 911 calls and ChatGPT query appeared to be an attempt to fabricate evidence suggesting he was trying to help, rather than responsible for, the blaze.
Agents also discovered a ChatGPT-generated image of a burning city on Rinderknecht’s electronic devices. He was arrested in Florida on Tuesday and now faces federal charges including malicious destruction by means of fire, a crime carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison.