The Suffolk County District Attorney’s office said that the man, Worldy Armand, doesn’t appear to be “plotting against our democracy,” while DA Rachael Rollins described Armand as “emotionally disturbed,” according to the Boston Globe.
Police charged Worldy Armand late on Sunday on an outstanding warrant for receiving stolen property, Boston Police Department said in a statement.
“I do not believe that this individual is plotting against our democracy,” she said. “I think he is emotionally disturbed, is what I am told.”
Rollins said she doesn’t believe he will be charged with a federal crime, although federal authorities have been contacted.
“If this were somebody with the facts maybe being a little bit different, there could potentially be a federal charge. We believe that this was the act of an individual that we have jurisdiction over,” Rollins said.
According to a news release from the police department, Armand was charged with willful and malicious burning and is scheduled to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court. No bond was set.
In Boston, officials called on voters not to let the alleged arson damage their faith in the voting system.
“We ask voters not to be intimidated by this bad act, and remain committed to making their voices heard in this and every election,” Walsh and Galvin added in their joint statement.
“We’re working with the proper authorities to conduct a thorough inventory of the ballots collected through the Copley Square ballot box yesterday afternoon through the early morning of today, and that investigation remains ongoing,” the agency said.
In Southern California, a ballot drop box was set on fire last week.
