The Department of Justice claims that the suspect in the California fire used ChatGPT to create an image of a burning city

Federal law enforcement He was arrested The suspect in connection with starting what became the Palisade Fire that killed 12 people and burned thousands of acres. Among the evidence cited was an AI image of a burning city that the suspect allegedly created using ChatGPT.

Bill Al-Asili, Acting US Attorney for the Central District of California, He said on Wednesday Federal law enforcement is accusing 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht of Florida of “starting what became the Palisades Fire in January.”

the Doug says Investigators linked Rinderknecht to the crime through video surveillance, witness statements and cellphone records that placed him near the start of the fire. during Press briefingOther evidence includes ChatGPT’s claim for what Al-Asili described as a “dystopian painting that partly shows a burning forest and a crowd fleeing from it,” Al-Asili said. Essayli claims that Rinderknecht used ChatGPT to create the image “a few months before” the fire started.

As noted by the Department of Justice, Rinderknecht is accused of starting the Lachman Fire, which began burning on Jan. 1, 2025. Although firefighters were able to contain the initial blaze, it reignited and developed into the Palisades Wildfire — the third most destructive wildfire in California history. It swept through the Pacific Palisades, Topanga and Malibu regions, burning more than 23,000 acres and destroying more than 6,000 structures, according to data from disaster management. State of California.

Prosecutors allege that Rinderknecht, who was living in the Pacific Palisades area at the time, dropped off a passenger on New Year’s Eve and then parked his car near a trailhead called Skull Rock. Rinderknecht allegedly began walking on the road while taking videos with his iPhone. He also listened to “Un Zder, Un The,” a French rap song with a music video that shows someone setting fire to a trash can, according to a copy of the complaint I reviewed. by Los Angeles Times.

Rinderknecht allegedly started the fire just after midnight on January 1 and then called 911 to report it. Prosecutors allege that Rinderknecht asked ChatGPT during his call, “Are you at fault if a fire is put out because of your cigarettes,” according to ChatGPT. Los Angeles Times.