Alleged arsonist was arrested for fire at Bernie Sanders’ Burlington office

By Hollie Raposo 

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

Michael Soghomonian, a 35-year-old man also known as Shant Soghomonian, was arrested Sunday in connection with the fire at Sen. Sanders’ office. Soghomonian is facing federal arson charges after the fire Friday. The man allegedly set fire to the Burlington office and is accused of one charge of using fire to damage a building.

Sen. Sanders’ office is on the third floor of a building in Burlington, Vermont. Soghomonian was seen in security footage spraying liquid on the outer door of Sanders’ office. Then he used a lighter to start the fire and quickly leftt the scene before the fire erupted. 

Prosecutors did not identify a motive for the arson. The U.S. Attorney for Vermont stated that the sprinklers went off on multiple floors. Luckily, no one was injured during the fire.

Soghomonian may face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He has not yet been scheduled to appear in court.