Man who set fire to Congressman Glen Grothman’s office in Fond du Lac over Tik Tok ban in court Wednesday

The 19-year-old Menasha man who set fire to Congressman Glen Grothman’s office last week over a ban of the app Tik Tok made his initial appearance in Fond du Lac County Circuit Court yesterday.
Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney filed charges against 19-year-old Caiden Stachowicz including felony arson, making terrorist threats, attempted burglary and property damage.

Stachowicz would face more than 50 years in prison if convicted on all counts.

According to a criminal complaint, City of Fond du Lac Officers and Fire personnel responded to a building fire where Grothman has an office.

While a first responding officer attempted to extinguish the fire, Stachowicz told him that he started the fire because he doesn’t like Grothman. The officer then took him into custody while Firefighters finished extinguishing the fire.

During an interview with police, Stachowicz stated he used gas and matches to start the fire saying he tried to break into the office to start the fire inside but couldn’t break the window. He then poured the gas on an electrical box in the back of the building, lit a match and watched it burn.

Stachowicz said that he believed the Tik Tok shutdown violated his constitutional rights, and he wanted to make a stand by burning a government building.

Stachowicz’s bond was set at $500,000. He’s due back in court January 28th for a status conference, and a preliminary hearing scheduled for January 30th.