A man was charged with setting a fire outside Sen. Bernie Sanders’ Vermont office on Sunday, federal prosecutors said.
Shant Soghomonian, 35, who previously lived in Northridge, California, was seen on security video entering the building on Friday, going to Sanders’ third-floor office, where he sprayed the door with a liquid and set it on fire. officials said.
There was some damage inside the building due to the fire and water sprayed by sprinklers, but no one was injured. Sanders, an independent, was not in office at the time.
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Soghomonian was arrested Sunday on charges of arson with intent to damage a building used for interstate commerce, according to a statement from Nicholas Kerest, the U.S. attorney for Vermont.
Sen. Bernie Sanders is seen speaking to the media as he heads to the House of Representatives before President Biden’s State of the Union address in Washington, D.C., March 7, 2024. Building used for interstate commerce in arson of Sanders’ Vermont office, charged with damaging interstate commerce. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
The motive remained unclear. Mr. Sogomonian was taken into custody on Sunday and could not be reached for comment. It was not immediately known whether he had an attorney and an initial court appearance has not been scheduled, officials said.
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This crime carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
The incident was investigated by the Burlington, Shelburne and Williston police departments. Vermont State Police; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. U.S. Capitol Police told officials.
