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The Florida man accused of sparking the devastating Los Angeles Palisades Fire was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, is facing three new charges, including two felonies, over the destructive blaze that leveled 7,000 homes and businesses and caused $150 billion in damages, according to the Department of Justice.
The three-count indictment includes counts of arson affecting property used in interstate commerce, destruction of property by means of fire and a count of timber set afire, the DOJ said in a press release.
Rinderknecht is accused of deliberately setting a brush fire on the hills over LA on New Year’s Day, which was partially extinguished by firefighters.
But the fire smoldered for a few days before fanning back up and exploding into the Palisades Fire on Jan. 7.
Rinderknecht will likely appear in Los Angeles federal court within weeks.
He faces at least five years in prison if convicted of his current charges, and no more than 45 in federal prison.
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