Federal officials have arrested a man on Sunday for allegedly setting a fire outside the office of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in Burlington, Vermont.
Shant Soghomonian, 35, formerly of Northridge, California, faces charges of using fire to damage a building used in interstate commerce and as a place of activity affecting interstate commerce. The arrest comes after he was reportedly captured on a security camera “spraying a liquid near the outer door of the office and then lighting the area with a handheld lighter” on Friday, as stated in a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont.
The fire resulted in damage to the exterior of the door and triggered sprinklers on multiple floors, according to the release.
If found guilty, Soghomonian could face a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison along with a fine of up to $250,000.
As of Sunday afternoon, the motive for the crime remains unclear. Furthermore, a lawyer for Soghomonian has yet to be identified, according to the release.
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