A man was arrested and slapped with a federal arson charge on Sunday for allegedly setting Sen. Bernie Sanders‘ Vermont office building ablaze.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont said 35-year-old Shant Soghomonian, also known as Michael Soghomonian, targeted the Burlington office of Mr. Sanders that is housed in a building used for interstate commerce, escalating the charge to the federal level. 

An initial court appearance was not yet scheduled. 

The Department of Justice said Mr. Soghomonian was caught on security cameras Friday entering the building and proceeding to Mr. Sanders‘ office entrance. He then sprayed a liquid on the door’s exterior before setting it on fire with a handheld lighter and fleeing the building, per authorities. 

The fire damaged the office door and surrounding area but was extinguished by the building’s sprinkler system. 

The office of Mr. Sanders, an independent but caucuses with Democrats and ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020, was occupied by staff, who were unharmed. 

Mr. Soghomonian faces a sentence of between five to 20 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine, the Justice Department said. 

• Ramsey Touchberry can be reached at rtouchberry@washingtontimes.com.