A Jordanian national residing in Orlando faces federal charges for alleged threats to use explosives and an attack on an energy facility. Hashem Younis Hashem Hnaihen, 43, has been indicted on four counts of threatening to use explosives and one count for the actual destruction of an energy facility. If convicted, the man could see a prison sentence of up to 10 years for each threat charge, with a possible 20 for the facility destruction, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Detailed in court documents obtained from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Hnaihen's actions began in June 2024, targeting businesses with supposed connections to the State of Israel. Under night's protective veil, donning a mask, the accused allegedly broke glass doors and left "Warning Letters" behind. These letters threatened to "destroy or explode everything here in whole America. Especially the companies and factories that support the racist state of Israel."
The incidents took a more destructive turn by month's end when Hnaihen supposedly broke into a solar power plant in Wedgefield, Florida. During this breach, over $700,000 of damage was committed, with destroyed solar panels, severed wires, and electronics targeted. Once again, the alleged perpetrator left those now-signature demand letters.
Following his spree of devastation, Hnaihen was arrested on July 11, not long after a new "Warning Letter" surfaced at an Orlando propane gas depot. "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 in a statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office. He emphasized, "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."
United States Attorney Roger Handberg echoed that sentiment, reiterating the unacceptability of targeting businesses for perceived beliefs: "The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and federally prosecute those who make violent or hate-based threats and who seek to act on these threats," he announced. While an indictment is not proof of guilt, it does mark the formal accusation requiring a defendant to stand trial for alleged federal crimes. Hnaihen remains innocent until proven guilty, as mentioned by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The case saw a collective investigative effort from agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and local police departments from Maitland, Winter Park, and Orlando. Assistant United States Attorney Richard Varadan is in charge of the prosecution process.
