A man from Boston is facing charges after he was accused of setting a ballot box containing more than 100 ballots on fire.
Around 4:00 am on October 25 in Copley Square, it was reported that a ballot box in front of the Boston Public Library was set on fire.
Upon using water to douse the flames, 87 of the 122 ballots inside of the box were still able to be processed, but 35 were destroyed.
The state election officials asserted that the act was a “deliberate attack,” and the Mayor of Boston spoke out labeling the incident disgraceful, disrespectful and criminal.
The FBI also began investigating the “attempted ballot box arson.”
When the Boston Police Department reviewed surveillance videos captured from cameras surrounding the location, they believed they got a good description of the suspect they were seeking.
Later that evening, the police were in Copley Square when they reported that they spotted a man that looked like the person who had set the ballot box fire.
The authorities approached and identified the man as 39-year-old Worldy Armand, a Boston local.
Since he had an active arrest warrant for receiving stolen property, the police took Armand into custody.
Armand is facing charges for willful and malicious burning for the accusation, and he was incarcerated and held without bond.
During his arraignment hearing on Monday, Armand appeared as if he needed psychological intervention, and the prosecution was in favor of having Armand’s attorney file to have him evaluated for possible mental health issues.
The judge denied the proposal and refused to send him to the state hospital for evaluation.
Though the Suffolk County district attorney initially believed Armand had committed a “crime against democracy,” she later rescinded and said that she believes he is “emotionally disturbed.”
The people whose ballots were dropped off at the location during the time of the fire were instructed to track the status online and vote in person if they prefer, but that new ballots are being sent to their homes if they wish to resubmit their vote in that fashion.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.