Alan Riquelmy

LOS ANGELES (CN) — A man federal authorities say started the blaze that became the deadly Palisades Fire in Los Angeles is in custody, officials announced Wednesday.

Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, of Melbourne, Florida, faces a charge of destruction of property by means of fire. Arrested in Florida on Tuesday, he made his initial appearance in federal court in Orlando on Wednesday, acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli said.

The judge in Florida made no decision about bond, and Rinderknecht is set to again appear in court for a detention hearing Thursday morning, Essayli’s office said.

Essayli said this past New Year’s Eve, Rinderknecht — a driver for Uber — dropped off a passenger on Palisades Drive in Pacific Palisades. The passenger later

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