Man Arrested for Allegedly Setting Fire to Bernie Sanders' Vermont Office

A 35-year-old California man has been taken into custody after he allegedly set fire to Senator Bernie Sanders' office in Burlington, Vermont. The Department of Justice announced the arrest of Shant Soghomonian and charged him with "using fire to damage the building" located at One Church Street. If convicted, Soghomonian could face a prison sentence of up to 20 years and a maximum fine of $250,000.

According to a release from the Department of Justice, security camera footage revealed Soghomonian spraying an unidentified liquid on the door of Sanders' office before using a handheld lighter to ignite it. As the flames began to grow, he quickly fled the scene, leaving behind a damaged outer office. Fortunately, the building's sprinkler system activated and extinguished the fire before firefighters arrived, preventing any further damage.

Although several employees were present in the office when the fire broke out, no injuries were reported. However, Senator Sanders himself was not present at the time.

The motive behind Soghomonian's actions remains unclear. Hailing from Northridge, California, he now faces serious criminal charges for his alleged arson attack on the senator's office. A court appearance date for Soghomonian has not yet been scheduled.

This incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of public figures and their offices. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident and whether there may have been additional motives or accomplices involved.

The arrest serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring the protection of elected officials and their staff, as well as maintaining the security of public spaces. The case will now proceed through the legal system as the suspect awaits his day in court to face the charges brought against him.