A Florida man has been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the destructive Palisades Fire that killed a dozen people in Los Angeles earlier this year, officials said on Wednesday.

The man, identified as 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht, was arrested on suspicion of "maliciously" starting the blaze that later became the Palisades Fire, according to acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli . A criminal complaint shows that he'll be charged with Destruction of Property by Means of Fire, but Essayli added that additional charges may be added.

The felony charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison, which could last as long as 20 years if convicted.

Officials claimed during a news conference Wednesday that Rinderknecht started the Lachman Fire in the

See Full Page