BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont’s U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Sunday that Shant Soghomonian, who authorities also know as Michael Soghomonian, 35, previously of Northridge, California was arrested on April 7, 2024.
According to court records, Soghomonian entered the building at One Church Street in Burlington on the morning of April 5, 2024, and proceeded to the third floor where the Vermont office of Senator Sanders is located. Soghomonian was recorded on a security video spraying a liquid near the outer door of the office and then lighting the area with a handheld lighter, then left using a nearby staircase.
Fire crews say the fire damaged the outside of the office door. While there were employees in the office, nobody was injured.
An initial appearance in federal court has not been scheduled yet. Soghomonian is charged with using fire to damage a building used in interstate commerce, federal officials said.
If convicted, Soghomonian faces a maximum penalty of five to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
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