Man accused of igniting Palisades Fire admired Luigi Mangione

(CNN, KYMA) - Federal prosecutors says the man accused of igniting one of California's most destructive wildfires was fueled by anger at the rich.

They also say he was fixated on Luigi Mangione, who is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

30-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht is charged with setting a fire in the Santa Monica mountains that authorities say grew into the deadly Palisades Fire in January of 2025.

The blaze killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in Los Angeles.

Court filings describe Rinderknecht as isolated and increasingly erratic, searching phrases like "Free Luigi Mangione" and "Let's take down all the billionaires."

Investigators say he later compared arson to the killing Mangione is accused of, calling it retaliation against the wealthy.

Rinderknecht has pleaded not guilty to arson-related charges. and he's set to go to trial next month.