A 35-year-old man has been arrested in connection to the arson attack on Friday that damaged an office in Burlington, Vermont, belonging to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), according to authorities.
Shant Soghomonian, who is also known as Michael Soghomonian and is previously of Northridge, California, was arrested on Sunday pursuant to a federal criminal complaint, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont said in a press release.
The complaint charged Soghomonian with using fire to damage the building at One Church Street in Burlington – a building used in interstate commerce and as a place of activity affecting interstate commerce, the release added.
On Friday morning, Soghomonian entered the building, proceeded to the third floor, where Sanders’s office is located, and was “recorded on a security video spraying a liquid near the outer door of the office and then lighting the area with a handheld lighter,” the release said, citing court documents.
“A blaze quickly began while Soghomonian departed via a staircase” and it “damaged the outside of the office door and surrounding areas, and the building sprinklers discharged on multiple floors,” the release continued.
“The Senator’s office was occupied by multiple employees who were not physically injured during the incident,” the release said. “It is not known how many other occupants were in the building, but no injuries were reported.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont said that Soghomonian faces a maximum penalty of not less than five years and not more than 20 years in prison, as well as a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted.
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An initial appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge had not yet been scheduled, and a counsel for the suspect had not yet been identified, the release noted.
Seen this man around Burlington, Vermont? Police are asking for assistance in identifying this suspect in connection to a fire at Sen. Bernie Sanders' office. A motive is unclear. pic.twitter.com/RALcX8TpjQ
— Madeleine Hubbard (@MadeleineHubb) April 7, 2024
Police had previously released a photo of the suspect that showed him wearing a hat, dark jacket, and long pants to track down the man.
Sanders had been in Los Angeles on Friday to join a picket line where hotel workers were on strike to demand improved pay and working conditions.