A Jordanian national residing in Orlando, Florida, has been indicted for allegedly attacking an energy facility and several businesses, and for threatening to harm the U.S. due to its perceived support of Israel.
Hashem Younis Hashem Hnaihen, 43, faces charges including destruction of an energy facility and threatening to use explosives. The attacks, which began in the summer, caused over half a million dollars in damages.
Hnaihen allegedly targeted businesses he believed supported Israel, leaving behind “warning letters” addressed to the U.S. government. In these letters, he threatened to “destroy or explode everything” in America, especially companies supporting Israel.
The attacks escalated when Hnaihen allegedly broke into a solar power facility in Wedgefield, Florida, causing extensive damage. He is suspected of causing over $700,000 in damages in total.
Hnaihen was arrested on July 11 following a multi-agency investigation.
“We allege that the defendant threatened to carry out hate-fueled mass violence in our country, motivated in part by a desire to target businesses for their perceived support of Israel,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Such acts and threats of violence, whether they are targeting the places that Americans frequent every day or our country’s critical infrastructure, are extremely dangerous and will not be tolerated by the Justice Department.”
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“Under the guise of expressing his beliefs, the defendant allegedly attacked a power facility and threatened local businesses, causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Violence and destruction of property to threaten and intimidate others will never be tolerated. The FBI and our partners will work together to pursue and hold accountable those who resort to violence.”
He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the destruction of the solar panel facility and ten years in prison for each threat offense.
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