ZAYN ARCAND

IRON MOUNTAIN — A young Iron Mountain man who admitted trying to set the Dickinson County Republican Committee Headquarters on fire in July was spared a prison sentence Monday.

Zayn Arcand instead was given 12 months in jail, with five months held in abeyance and credit for 34 days already served, plus three years of probation.

Arcand had pleaded guilty in Dickinson County Circuit Court in January to amended charges of explosives — sending with intent to frighten, and arson — preparation to burn real property. Both are felonies that each carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

He originally had faced explosives-manufacture/possession of a Molotov cocktail/explosive or incendiary device causing property damage, and arson — preparation to burn property of $20,000 or more, felonies that could have drawn prison terms of 20 and 10 years, respectively.

A person reported seeing Arcand, then 19, in the area of the Broullire Building at 617 N. Stephenson Ave. just before 4 p.m. July 12 attempt to light a rag sticking out of the bottle before throwing the unlit bottle at the window of the DCRC headquarters. Surveillance camera footage showed the bottle shattered on impact but did not catch fire, Jeff Solka, director of Iron Mountain Police and Fire Services, said in a news release after the incident.

A second broken glass bottle was found in the parking lot, also with an unknown liquid and rag sticking out of the top, according to the news release.

Officers were able to identify the teen, who when found at his home admitted making the bottles in his driveway, intending to throw them at the DCRC headquarters “to send a message against the corruption,” Solka stated in the July news release, adding, “The suspect was hoping what he made was flammable and would ignite.”

Dickinson County Circuit Judge Mary Barglind noted the 17 letters received before Monday’s sentencing, most asking for the maximum prison term, and said she understood the reasoning in wanting to punish and deter any similar attack.

Arcand’s actions July 12 brought “fear and intimidation for political beliefs” to not just the DCRC headquarters but to the building owners, other businesses and the community at large.

She cited the statement Dan Harrington, a Republican who chairs the Dickinson County Board, made in court earlier in the hearing that the sentence needed to send a message that such behavior could not be tolerated.

Harrington told the court “a slap on the wrist” risked having Arcand perhaps repeat his actions in the future with much worse consequences.

But Barglind said as a judge, she has to consider not just punishment and deterrence but also past record and potential for rehabilitation.

Arcand has no previous criminal offenses. His attorney, William Hougaboom, described Arcand as autistic and bipolar, an “outsider” who had been bullied, ostracized and isolated all his life. While he has a high school diploma, it was achieved through a special education program, his attorney said.

When he committed the act in July, Arcand reportedly was depressed and having suicidal thoughts, Hougaboom said.

Though analysis showed the liquid used had a “medium petroleum distillate” — a group that includes paint thinner, mineral spirits and charcoal lighter fluid — it’s unclear whether what Arcand mixed could actually catch fire.

“Fortunate for him, his execution was fundamentally flawed,” Hougaboom said.

Dickinson County Prosecuting Attorney Abbey Anderson, however, pointed out that just because Arcand’s makeshift incendiary device didn’t work as intended doesn’t diminish the “chilling” effect it had on DCRC members and the public as a whole.

Arcand “brought political violence to our community,” which previously had seemed safe from such threats, Anderson said in calling for the sentence to be at the “upper end” of the maximum allowed.

Arcand said in court Monday he did feel remorse about the attack.

“I wish all this had never happened,” he told Barglind.

Weekly one-on-one sessions at Northpointe Behavioral Healthcare System and adjustments in his medications have helped, he said, adding he no longer wanted to take his own life or anyone else’s

But Arcand also visibly struggled to stay focused during the hearing, with Hougaboom several times having to re-direct his attention to the judge.

Barglind stressed Arcand must stick with his therapy, counseling sessions and medications. Arcand’s probation includes 28 requirements he must meet or risk jail or even prison, Barglind warned.

His jail sentence was to begin immediately. Arcand must perform 240 hours of community service as well and write letters of apology to the victims in the case, both directed through his probation officer. Fees and other court costs totaled $608.

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Betsy Bloom can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85240, or bbloom@ironmountaindailynews.com.