A 20-year-old man was found guilty of arson on Monday for allegedly setting fire to a Wisconsin congressman’s Fond du Lac office early this year.
Caiden Stachowicz was found guilty of arson after entering a “no contest” plea. Other charges for making terrorist threats, attempted burglary and property damage were dissmissed, according to online court records. The terrorist threats charge was dismissed in February.
Stachowicz was arrested and charged in January. According to a criminal complaint, he told police he started a fire at the Fond du Lac office of U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Glenbeulah, over the representative’s “yes” vote on a briefly-enforced federal ban on TikTok.
News with a little more humanity
WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” newsletter keeps you connected to the state you love without feeling overwhelmed. No paywall. No agenda. No corporate filter.
Stachowicz allegedly first tried to break into the office but was unsuccessful, and then started a fire near an electrical unit behind the building.
“Political violence has no place in society and we will aggressively prosecute anyone that commits or attempts to commit violence against government officials, regardless of their political affiliation, to protect our democratic process,” Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney said in a statement.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 5.
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2025, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.
