FOND DU LAC, Wis. (WFRV) – A 19-year-old man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly setting fire to U.S. Congressman Glenn Grothman’s district office in Fond du Lac.
Authorities say the incident stemmed from the Congressman’s vote supporting a potential sale of the social media app TikTok.
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Caiden Sage Stachowicz was arrested early Sunday morning, Jan. 19, after firefighters responded to a fire at the office. The fire caused minor damage to the building, but Stachowicz now faces serious legal consequences.
He appeared in court Wednesday and was charged with arson, terrorist threats, attempted burglary, and criminal property damage.
If convicted, the penalties include up to 40 years in prison and a $100,000 fine for arson; up to 3 years and 6 months in prison and a $10,000 fine for terrorist threats; up to 6 years and 3 months in prison and a $12,500 fine for attempted burglary; and up to 9 months in jail and a $10,000 fine for criminal property damage.
Fond du Lac County Judge Tricia L. Walker set Stachowicz’s cash bond at $500,000. As a condition of his bond, Stachowicz is prohibited from contacting Congressman Grothman, his office, or any campaign-related properties.
According to the criminal complaint, Stachowicz admitted to setting the fire because he was upset about Grothman’s April 2024 vote to require TikTok to either be sold to U.S. ownership or face a nationwide ban by January 2025.
Stachowicz told law enforcement he had previously participated in peaceful protests but felt they were ineffective, leading him to take more drastic measures.
The complaint states Stachowicz purchased gasoline and matches from a Kwik Trip in Menasha before driving to Fond du Lac to set the fire.
He carried a knife, which he used to attempt to break a window at the office. Stachowicz reportedly assured authorities he did not intend to harm anyone and was aware the building was unoccupied.
Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney thanked first responders for preventing more significant damage and emphasized the risks involved. “Fires can create significant dangers for first responders, law enforcement, and anyone who might be in the building, regardless of the time of day,” Toney said.
Toney also underscored the importance of holding individuals accountable for attempts to intimidate government officials. “We will continue to prosecute anyone who attempts to intimidate government officials from performing their lawful duties, regardless of whether we agree with the government action,” he said.
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Stachowicz’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. before Judge Walker.
The case remains under investigation, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the City of Fond du Lac Police Department.
