Posted on 10/08/2025 11:55:53 AM PDT by Navy Patriot
Authorities in California charged a 29-year-old man with "malicious destruction' for allegedly starting a deadly fire that erupted into the most destructive blaze in Los Angeles history and destroyed much of the wealthy Pacific Palisades neighborhood, officials announced Wednesday.
Federal law enforcement officials accused 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht of lighting a fire on New Year’s Day that was initially extinguished by fire crews, but continued to smolder underground before reigniting during high winds, acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said during a news conference.
Rinderknecht was arrested Tuesday in Florida, where he moved after the fire, and is due to appear in court Wednesday. He faces charges including malicious destruction by means of a fire. Aisha Nash, the federal public defender assigned to represent Rinderknecht, has not responded to Associated Press requests for comment.
Rinderknecht fled the scene of the original fire, but returned to the same trail to watch it burn, Essayli said.
“He left as soon as he saw the fire trucks were headed to the location. He turned around and went back up there. And he took some video and, and watched them fight the fire,” Essayli said
Rinderknecht also made several 911 calls to report the fire, according to a criminal complaint.
During an interview Jan. 24, Rinderknecht told investigators where the fire began, information not yet public and that he would not have known if he hadn’t witnessed it, the complaint said.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...
The lefty Antifa and Theology crowd call Arson, “Backburning for Social Justice”. In this case it was to remedy injustices in land use and housing. It’s a real tactic and real thing. I even had an Episcopalian minister explain this at a Sunday sermon. “Setting fires to obtain larger scale social justice is not only ok, but it’s necessary.”
Do we have confirmation of the perp’s Antifa credentials?
Death penalty time.
Grok:
“ Jonathan Rinderknecht, the 29-year-old Florida man recently arrested for allegedly starting the deadly Palisades Fire in Los Angeles in January 2025, appears to lean Democratic based on available public records and social media activity.
Key Indicators:
• Donations to Democrats: Rinderknecht made contributions to Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign, with a donation receipt dated September 11, 2020, listing an address in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles (CA 90272). The memo on the receipt specifies support for “Biden for President.”     
• Social Media Activity: Under the alias “Jon Rinder” on Facebook, he shared links to donate to the Biden-Harris campaign via ActBlue, promoted Democratic-aligned voter mobilization efforts (e.g., When We All Vote, founded by Michelle Obama), and highlighted content on voter suppression featuring Stacey Abrams. He also frequently posted about climate change issues, such as Antarctic ice melt and wildfire-induced migration, which align with progressive environmental activism. 
• Voter Registration: Florida records list him as having “No Party Affiliation” (NPA), though his family’s registrations are mixed (parents Republican, siblings Democratic). 
No evidence of Republican affiliations, donations to conservative causes, or support for figures like Donald Trump appears in public sources. His online behavior suggests informal alignment with Democratic positions rather than formal party membership. Note that these details emerged in media coverage following his arrest, and further court proceedings may reveal more context.”
Well, with 12 people dead in the fires, that is 12 charges of murder
“The lefty Antifa and Theology crowd call Arson, “Backburning for Social Justice”. In this case it was to remedy injustices in land use and housing. It’s a real tactic and real thing. I even had an Episcopalian minister explain this at a Sunday sermon. “Setting fires to obtain larger scale social justice is not only ok, but it’s necessary.”
September 8, 2020
The Almeda urban arson proven wildfire was when I lost EVERYTHING.
BLM/Antifa had been camped in a local park terrorizing locals and destroyed the park then sued the city of Medford for not being accommodating enough.
That night after running from the flames, I encountered 5 of them in a dark parking lot waiting to hear if I had a home left.
There are no coincidences!
If Rinderknecht is convicted and sentenced to death, we might be able to electrocute him twelve times.
“The lefty Antifa and Theology crowd call Arson, “Backburning for Social Justice”. In this case it was to remedy injustices in land use and housing. It’s a real tactic and real thing. I even had an Episcopalian minister explain this at a Sunday sermon. “Setting fires to obtain larger scale social justice is not only ok, but it’s necessary.”
September 8, 2020
The Almeda urban arson proven wildfire was when I lost EVERYTHING.
BLM/Antifa had been camped in a local park terrorizing locals and destroyed the park then sued the city of Medford for not being accommodating enough.
That night after running from the flames, I encountered 5 of them in a dark parking lot waiting to hear if I had a home left.
There are no coincidences!
Then match that with who's setting up the regulations that make it practically impossible to rebuild and check their bank statements. Then match that with who's buying the burnt property at bargain prices.
What is this charge, a misdemeanor?
This is BS, this guy didnt start the fire that consumed the Palisades but they lob this little pebble of a charge to try and blame the entire thing on a nobody thus deflecting all blame from BadBass and her boss Cravin.
It was set deliberately to achieve a Land Grab.
You specify a very worthwhile part of the complete investigation!
Additional detail at this link. Images from his phone, etc:
Antifa Arsonist?
https://tierneyrealnewsnetwork.substack.com/p/antifa-arsonist
No way in Hades there should be anything but the death penalty as punishment.
Come on Maaaan !
12 murdered, almost 7000 homes destroyed?
Really he should be crucified on a tall street lamp in downtown LA.
Pronto.
Pronto.
Very highly likely.
Possibly Rinderknecht was Groomed by Bass' agents.
Thanks, Spktyr!
And then left to rot.
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