A 43-year-old Jordanian man residing in Orlando, Florida, has been accused of causing significant damage at a solar power facility and vandalizing various private businesses due to their perceived support for Israel. Hashem Younis Hashem Hnaihen was apprehended last month, and a federal grand jury recently indicted him on charges including threatening to use explosives and destruction of an energy facility, potentially leading to a 60-year prison sentence. At a court hearing, a judge ruled for Hnaihen to remain in detention until trial.
The U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, Roger Handberg, condemned the attacks, stating that targeting businesses based on their beliefs is unacceptable. Court documents reveal that Hnaihen began targeting businesses during the night by wearing a mask and smashing their front doors starting in June. He left behind “warning letters” addressed to the U.S. government, outlining political demands and threatening to destroy establishments supporting Israel.
In late June, Hnaihen allegedly broke into a solar power facility in Wedgefield, Florida, where he spent hours destroying solar panel arrays and leaving additional copies of the warning letter. The damage to the facility was estimated to exceed $700,000. Following an investigation involving multiple agencies, Hnaihen was taken into custody on local charges after another warning letter was found at an industrial propane gas distribution depot in Orlando. He was later transferred to federal custody upon indictment.
Hnaihen’s defense attorney has yet to respond to requests for comment.