(MENAFN) A federal grand jury formally indicted a man on Wednesday who is alleged to have ignited the destructive Palisades Fire in Los Angeles earlier this year, in January.

Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, faces three serious federal charges outlined in the indictment: one for setting fire to property, another for arson involving property engaged in interstate trade, and a third for igniting timber.

These charges were detailed in an official statement from the US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.

Rinderknecht, who previously lived in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles, has remained in federal detention since his arrest on October 7.

According to reports, he allegedly ignited a minor fire on New Year’s Day that continued to burn beneath the surface.

This initial blaze later flared up again, rapidly spreading across Pacific Palisades—a district known for its affluent residents.

The reignited flames escalated into what became known as the Palisades Fire, claiming the lives of 12 individuals and destroying 6,837 buildings, the majority of which were residential homes.

Should Rinderknecht be found guilty, he could face a minimum prison term of five years and a maximum sentence of 45 years in a federal correctional facility.

His forthcoming court hearing, an arraignment, is slated to occur in the next few weeks at the US District Court in downtown Los Angeles.

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