In Burlington, Vermont, Shant Soghomonian, also known as Michael Soghomonian, 35, formerly of Northridge, California, was arrested Sunday on charges related to an arson incident at One Church Street — the office of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Sunday.
Soghomonian is charged with allegedly using fire to damage a building engaged in interstate commerce.
Court documents reveal that on the morning of April 5, 2024, Soghomonian entered the building at One Church Street and proceeded to Senator Sanders’ Vermont office on the third floor.
Security footage captured him spraying a liquid outside the office door and igniting it with a lighter, causing a fire that damaged the door and adjacent areas.
The fire triggered the building’s sprinkler system on several floors.
While the Senator’s office was staffed then, no physical injuries were reported there or elsewhere in the building, according to court documents.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office stressed that the allegations against Soghomonian are only accusations at this stage, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
If convicted, he could face a prison sentence of 5 to 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest acknowledged the collaborative investigation led by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Burlington and Shelburne Police Departments, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Vermont State Police, and the U.S. Capitol Police.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Lasher is prosecuting the case.