The Leonard Files

After months of investigation the ATF announced this week that agents had arrested a 29-year-old man on a federal arson charge – and accused him of causing the Palisades Fire. Jonathan Rinderknecht is being held in Florida with no bail, after fire investigators concluded the January 7th Palisades Fire was a reignition of a January 1st brush fire in the same area. Rinderknecht is charged with igniting the January 1st fire, and federal prosecutors say more charges are likely. Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover

the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing

moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard

Files.

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Why did so many news outlets blast out headlines – that an arrest had been made in the death of Celeste Rivas? No such arrest was made – we explain the confusion and have updates on another murder investigation tied to remains in a car, plus -- why a family’s lawsuit could renew a criminal investigation into an in-custody death at LA’s Twin Towers jail. Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover

the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing

moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard

Files.

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The body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas, missing since April 2024, was discovered in the trunk of a Tesla registered to musician D4vd. Police are investigating the case as a homicide, though no charges have been filed. In this episode, we break down the latest details, the investigation’s focus, and what comes next. Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover

the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing

moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard

Files.

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We run down some of the unusual crime stories we followed this week, including a home invasion robbery in Woodland Hills, the discoveries of the bodies of 2 people inside cars at LA tow yards, and consider why the California Attorney General has suddenly taken legal action against LA County, after years of complaints about poor living conditions inside jails. Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover

the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing

moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard

Files.

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The US Attorney’s Office in Southern California filed a civil lawsuit against Southern California Edison in federal court, seeking to hold the utility liable for the cost of fighting the Eaton Fire and for the damage it caused to the Angeles National Forest. More than 5,000 fire victims have already filed suit in state court for the deaths of loved ones and the loss of homes and businesses. We consider the implications of the new federal case with attorney Mike Artinian, who’s firm already represents hundreds of Eaton Fire victims in lawsuits against SCE. Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover

the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing

moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard

Files.

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Erik & Lyle Menendez’s defense lawyer Mark Geragos says he’s going to court to challenge the decision last week to deny parole for the brothers, but it’s a difficult legal path. Criminal justice professor and parole attorney Bruce Zucker talks about the reality of the decisions last week and the prospect of a successful legal challenge. Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover

the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing

moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard

Files.

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The last of 6 men accused of taking part in the 2008 murder of LA County Sheriff’s Deputy Juan Abel Escalante was returned to Southern California from Mexico this week, as part of a negotiated agreement between the US Justice Department and Mexican justice officials. Roberto Salazar was charged in 2011 but wasn’t located until March, 2025. Deputy Escalante’s murder led to one of the largest organized crime prosecutions of a street gang in Southern California – that helped transform the Cypress Park neighborhood where Escalante was killed. Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover

the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing

moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard

Files.

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We update a few stories we’ve been covering: arrests in burglary of actor Brad Pitt’s home in Los Feliz, an information vacuum in the hoax bomb threat made by LA Mayor Karen Bass’ former deputy mayor for public safety, and new allegations against already-accused LA City Councilman Curren Price. Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover

the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing

moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard

Files.

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The ATF and LA County Sheriff’s Department continue to examine what caused the hand grenade explosion that claimed the lives of Detectives Victor Lemus, William Osborn, and Joshua Kelley-Eklund. The grenade that detonated – had been examined and x-rayed and was believed to be inert. But what if the x-ray was inaccurate? The latest on the ongoing investigation. Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover

the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing

moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard

Files.

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More questions have been raised about the LAPD’s response to the home of an American Idol music supervisor and her husband, who were worried about security in the neighborhood, and were murdered when they walked-in on a burglary in progress. Police had been at their doorstep minutes earlier, but newly-public court records suggest the couple was never made aware of the prowler investigation and were shot to death. Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover

the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing

moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard

Files.

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