The man federally charged with causing the devastating 2025 Palisades fire had multiple run-ins with police for traffic and car-related issues in the months prior to his federal arrest.

According to newly released body camera footage obtained by Scripps News, Palm Bay police twice pulled over Jonathan Rinderknecht for speeding in Florida in August and September.

They also confronted him once in August after a caller said his vehicle seemed suspicious, stalled along a dirt road.

An officer pulled over Rinderknecht on Aug. 2 for driving 71 mph in a 45 mph zone. Rinderknecht received a $284 citation.

“There’s no way I’m going 71,” Rinderknecht told the officer. “I’m literally, like, working right now,” he said from behind the wheel of his car.

Rinderknecht told the officer he was making

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