Suspect Arrested and Charged with Attempting to Set Fire to a Building Utilized by DHS

BOISE – Sarah Elizabeth George, 43, of Boise, was arrested Monday in Boise on federal criminal charges, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. According to the criminal complaint, on February 18, 2026, George stole and then drove an ambulance into the Portico building in Meridian, Idaho, before she dumped gasoline in the ambulance and building intending to light a fire.  News outlets had reported that the Department of Homeland Security leased a portion of the Portico building prior to George’s actions.

Yesterday, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging George with two counts of attempted malicious damage by fire. The first count alleges that George maliciously attempted to damage or destroy federal property by means of fire, that created a substantial risk of injury, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 844(f)(2). If convicted, George faces a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years and up to 40 years in federal prison. The second count alleges that George maliciously attempted to damage or destroy, by means of fire, property used in and affecting interstate commerce, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 844(i). If convicted, George faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in federal prison. Both charges also carry a fine up to $250,000. If convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

“The United States Attorney’s Office will vigorously prosecute any crime that places government employees in danger or is aimed at destroying federal property,” said U.S. Attorney Davis.

“The FBI worked swiftly alongside our law enforcement partners to identify and arrest the person allegedly responsible for this crime,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI. “Given the potentially devastating consequences of this defendant’s actions, this case was a priority. The FBI remains steadfast in ensuring the safety of our personnel and the public.”

U.S. Attorney Davis commended the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Meridian Police Department; and the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office, which led to the charges. Assistant United States Attorneys David Robins and Francis Zebari are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is only an allegation of criminal conduct and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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