Wisconsin Court Hands 7-Year Sentence to Man Who Torched GOP Office Over TikTok
A Wisconsin man who admitted setting fire outside a Republican congressman’s office over anger about TikTok legislation has been sentenced to prison.
Caiden Stachowicz, 20, received seven years in prison and seven years of extended supervision after pleading no contest to a felony arson charge connected to the attack on Rep. Glenn Grothman’s office in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, according to court records and Associated Press reporting.
The case drew attention because investigators said Stachowicz told police he targeted the office after Grothman supported federal legislation requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations.
Download a FREE Pocket Constitution NOW
Authorities say the fire happened around 1 a.m. on Jan. 19, 2025, when officers found Stachowicz near flames outside the building.
According to the criminal complaint, he had tried to break into the office to start the fire inside but failed, then poured gasoline around the building and ignited it.
Prosecutors later dropped burglary and property damage charges as part of the plea agreement.
The fire caused about $15,000 in damage, and Stachowicz was also ordered to pay restitution and undergo mental health treatment, according to local reporting.
Follow The Coffman Chronicle on NewsBreak for daily breaking political coverage.