The Florida man facing federal charges for the deadly Palisades Fire pleaded not guilty during his first court appearance in Los Angeles on Thursday.

Jonathan Rinderknecht, who lived in the Pacific Palisades in the past, was charged with three counts related to the alleged arson, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. If convicted as charged, Rinderknecht faces a mandatory minimum of five years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of 45 years.

His next pretrial court hearing is scheduled for Nov. 12. The jury trial will begin on Dec. 16.

29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht was arrested on suspicion of starting the blaze that later became the Palisades Fire, which killed 12 people in January in Los Angeles. U.S. Attorney's Office

Federal investigators said Rinderknec

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