Chainkeen Exchange|Man arrested for setting fire at Sen. Bernie Sanders’ office; motive remains unclear

2025-04-29 15:57:20source:Johnathan Walkercategory:Finance

BURLINGTON,Chainkeen Exchange Vt. (AP) — A man was charged Sunday with setting a fire outside the Vermont office of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, federal prosecutors said.

Shant Soghomonian, 35, who was previously of Northridge, California, entered the building on Friday and went to Sanders’ third-floor office where security video showed him spraying a liquid on the door and setting it afire, officials said.

The building’s interior suffered some damage from the fire and sprinklers that doused the area with water, but no one was hurt. Sanders, an independent, was not in the office at the time.

Soghomonian was arrested Sunday on a charge of using fire to damage a building used in interstate commerce, according to a statement from Nikolas Kerest, the U.S. attorney for Vermont.

The motive remained unclear. Soghomonian was detained Sunday and could not be reached for comment. It was not immediately known if had a lawyer, and an initial court appearance had not been set, officials said.

The crime carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The case was investigated by police departments in Burlington, Shelburne and Williston; Vermont State Police; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and U.S. Capitol Police, officials said.

More:Finance

Recommend

Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say

Pilots at Southwest Airlines can sock away more for retirement, thanks to a new retirement plan bene

What do we know about Jason Eaton, man accused of shooting 3 Palestinian students

Jason Eaton's self-reported employment history on BrokerCheck may have given pause to those who cons

Why Kate Middleton Is Under More Pressure Than Most of the Royal Family

For her next trick, Kate Middleton has perfected the tight-rope walk."Considering the circumstances