Quentin Mitchell|Suspect in fire outside of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ Vermont office to remain detained, judge says

2025-05-01 05:29:28source:Slabu Exchangecategory:Scams

BURLINGTON,Quentin Mitchell Vt. (AP) — The man accused of starting a fire outside independent U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ Vermont office earlier this month will remain detained pending further legal proceedings, a federal judge ordered Thursday.

Shant Michael Soghomonian was indicted by a grand jury on a charge of maliciously damaging or attempting to damage and destroy by fire a building used in interstate commerce, according to the indictment filed with the court. Soghomonian, 35, has not yet been arraigned.

Surveillance video shows the man throwing a liquid April 5 at the bottom of a door opening into Sanders’ third-floor office in Burlington and setting it on fire with a lighter, according to an affidavit filed by a special agent with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The motive remains unclear, and Sanders was not in the office at the time.

Seven employees working in the office were able to get out unharmed. The building’s interior suffered damage from the fire and water sprinklers.

Soghomonian, who was previously from Northridge, California, had been staying at a South Burlington hotel for nearly two months and was spotted outside Sanders’ office the day before and the day of the fire, according to the special agent’s report.

Prosecutors argued that Soghomonian is a danger to the community and a flight risk and should remain detained. A phone message was left with his public defender and was not immediately returned.

More:Scams

Recommend

How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast

After 14 years, the police procedural "Blue Bloods" is coming to an end.Season 14 has been released

Maine mass shooter was alive for most of massive 2-day search, autopsy suggests

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The Army reservist who opened fire inside at a bowling alley and a bar in Lew

Jalen Milroe stiff-arms Jayden Daniels' Heisman Trophy bid as No. 8 Alabama rolls past LSU

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Jayden Daniels had a trip to New York in his future, the Heisman Trophy in his fi