The Justice Department said Wednesday a federal grand jury indicted Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, accused of igniting the brush fire that became the deadly Palisades Fire in Los Angeles. The three-count case—destruction of property by fire, arson affecting interstate commerce, and timber set afire—carries up to 45 years. Prosecutors allege he lit combustible material on Jan. 1 while working as an Uber driver; the blaze smoldered, then reemerged amid high winds, leveling neighborhoods and killing 12. Authorities cited digital evidence, including an image he allegedly generated with ChatGPT. An arraignment in downtown Los Angeles is expected in the coming weeks.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.