Caiden Stachowicz was sentenced Thursday to seven years in prison for an arson attack on Congressman Glenn Grothman’s district office in January 2025
A 20-year-old Menasha man was sentenced to seven years in prison Thursday for setting fire to U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman’s Fond du Lac district office in protest of the congressman’s vote supporting a federal law requiring the sale of TikTok.
Caiden Stachowicz pleaded no contest to one count of arson in November. Prosecutors dismissed additional charges of attempted burglary and misdemeanor criminal damage to property.
The fire occurred around 1 a.m. on Jan. 19, 2025. The building was unoccupied, and no injuries were reported. Authorities located Stachowicz nearby, where he admitted starting the blaze.
According to court records, Stachowicz was upset over Grothman’s support for the short-lived TikTok measure, believing it violated his rights. He had previously engaged in peaceful protests but later stated peace was no longer an option and expressed regret that the entire building did not burn.
Fond du Lac County Judge Tricia Walker imposed the sentence, along with seven years of extended supervision.
Stachowicz was ordered to have no contact with Grothman and to pay more than $17,000 in restitution.
