Judge denies release for alleged Palisades Fire starter Rinderknecht

The suspect accused of beginning the lethal Palisades Fireplace in Southern California will stay within the custody of U.S. marshals with out bail forward of trial.

U.S. Justice of the Peace Choose Nathan W. Hill cited 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht’s psychological well being, shaky revenue and sophisticated relationship together with his household as causes for Thursday’s resolution in Orlando, Florida.

Three of Rinderknecht’s siblings – two sisters and a brother – sat within the second row throughout the listening to. One in all his sisters began crying after the decide made his ruling.

Federal officers stated at a information convention Wednesday that Rinderknecht had been arrested the day earlier than in Melbourne. Rinderknecht is accused of beginning the Lachman Fireplace on New Yr’s Day, which continued to burn underground and resurfaced as a consequence of excessive winds on January 7 because the Palisades Fireplace.

WHO IS JONATHAN RINDERKNECHT, EXPECTED PALISADES FIRE, ACCUSED OF STARTING DEADLY FIRE?

Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, was arrested on October 7, 2025, at his residence in Melbourne, Florida, on fees of beginning the Palisades Fireplace. (X/@USAttyEssayli)

Rinderknecht was an Uber driver and he was described by two passengers as “agitated and indignant” the night time he was accused of setting the fireplace, in response to a felony grievance obtained by Fox Information.

Officers stated on the information convention that he was a Palisades resident and accustomed to the neighborhood. He allegedly used an “open flame” to start out the fireplace after simply dropping off passengers.

ARREST MADE IN CONNECTION WITH DEADLY PACIFIC PALISADES FIRE, SOURCES SAY

Jonathan Rinderknecht’s siblings stroll arm in arm previous reporters outdoors the U.S. District Court docket in Orlando on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. (Fox Information)

An Uber spokesperson informed Fox Information Digital that the corporate “labored intently with the ATF to find out the motive force’s whereabouts on and round January 1” and that its “GPS information positioned him close to the placement of the beginning of the Lachman hearth on January 1.”

An aerial view of beachfront properties destroyed throughout the Palisades Fireplace alongside the Pacific Coast Freeway on January 16, 2025 in Malibu, California. (Mario Tama/Getty Pictures)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Rinderknecht’s entry to the Uber platform was revoked after Uber realized of his suspected involvement within the hearth, the corporate stated.

All Uber drivers “should go a state-mandated background test to drive with Uber and are rescreened yearly,” the Uber spokesperson stated.

Fox Information’ Andre Tinoco, Invoice Melugin and Matt Finn contributed to this report.